Green measures 'to have important bearing on future property prices'
It has been suggested that environmentally-friendly measures made in properties across the UK could have a significant bearing on their price in the future.The Home Builders Federation (HBF) explained that the introduction of energy performance certificates (EPCs) as part of compulsory home information packs (Hips) will mean that the energy efficiency of homes will make them more desirable in the future.As the EPCs will give potential buyers access to information on the eco-friendly nature of a property, they measures taken to insulate a home could help to push up the price of a house.Where properties obtain poor energy efficiency ratings, the value of the property on the market could also be affected, warned John Slaughter, director of external affairs, at the HBF.He explained: "I think we have to assume that it will have some influence on perceptions of purchases. And obviously, if you go back to [the] point about hiking energy prices at the moment, then people will always take more notice of those things in that climate."Mr Slaughter added that while he did not expect people's perceptions to change overnight, insulating a home to improve its energy efficiency "will definitely rise in importance as we move forward".The Government's 'Building a Greener Future' policy package pledges to make all new homes carbon-neutral by 2016and is also offering stamp duty exemptions for such homes.
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