In what sounds like bad news for the already beleaguered energy assessor industry, a new phone app is being launched which will give everyone the ability to audit and generate an A to G rating on any home.
A London firm called Qreative Medias is behind the application ‘Home Energy Performance’ which is available on the iPhone and iPad in the Apple Stores.
It is thought users will be home owners, buyers, estate agents, letting agents and builders.
The app not only delivers an energy rating but also recommendations and advice, with a pdf report.
The report indicates the EPC score, including the A to G graph required under the EU directive. The app is available worldwide and in several different languages.
However, a spokesman for Qreative Media said that whilst the app generates an EPC, exactly as a survey would do and in conformity with guidelines, it would not count as the 'real' thing in terms of requirements for selling or renting a property, as it is generated by the iPhone user and not by a registered and accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.
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Comments
The creators say it is not compliant themselves.
It's not a substitute for the current EPC.
It can be used by other people, other than agents in a vairety of ways.
If you want an EPC (or just an understand/ideas), but not for a legal purpose, it's worth a look.
This new 'app' is completely non-compliant, and as such it is completely worthless. If an EPC is not undertaken by a qualified assessor then it is not fit for purpose and could leave the individual open to civil prosecution if the property is marketed as having a valid EPC when only the app has been used.
If nothing else, this piece of news further demonstrates the importance of having a valid EPC on your property.
What's next... a brain surgery app???
"it would not count as the 'real' thing in terms of requirements for selling or renting a property"
Energy Assessors are forver banging on about the importance on an EPC, especially on this site.
Qreative Media openly say it cannot be used as an official EPC, so that is the end of that. If agents mis-use it, that is their problem and they should be punished accordingly.
There is absolutely no grounds whatsoever to report this app to anyone. If it is mis-used and used to replace the official EPC, then absolutley.. report it.
However, it provides many uses to various users as a cheap solution - $ 3.99!!
Very handy for existing home owners who are looking to gain ideas - this app WILL provide ideas to improve your home (tried and tested).
Granted, it won't (or certainly shouldn't) be as effective as a site visit, but from what I have encountered, the 'real' EPCs are sometimes a lottery anyway!!
You do that, TK. If it makes you feel better, then you just go and do it.
I for one will be advising my local trading standards on tuesday that this app generated EPC has no legal validation for marketing or letting purposes and i will suggest to them that they issue a warning to agents that they risk a fine or worse if caught using this misleading crap.
Hang on a minute, Mike. You state "This would help remove some of the 'drive by cowboys' who provide a so called report for a totally unrealistic fee." Yet, ALL DEAs are 'accredited' - aren't they? Regardless of cost (that is a matter for the DEA to decide whether he/she wants the job at the price or not...), an EPC should be factually correct. Or are you admitting that your industry has its' share of black sheep?
Rebel posts:"but no bugger looks at the EPC anyway."
Most people do not realise that the EPC contains more than just the Bar Chart produced on the property details.
Of course the more cynical would say that as the agent acts on behalf of the vendor - not the purchaser - that it is not in 'their' best interest to show the full report.
If more purchasers were aware of the FULL content it would be a useful negotiating tool.
For the vendor it would also ensure that robust report from a reliable source was obtained.
This would help remove some of the 'drive by cowboys' who provide a so called report for a totally unrealistic fee.
This is what has discredited the work of most diligent DEA's.
...but no bugger looks at the EPC anyway.
Mike Crompton: You say "Be warned that Institute IDEA) will press very firmly for CLG/DECC to act against this app being used"
Rather than the Estate Agency inustry being worried by your implied 'threat', I would say that it will be deemed as the most sensible thing that ANY DEA has said on this site and will be welcomed - and backed - by those who really care about the industry!
Another example of someone being too simplistic and not understanding the assessment process.
Modern Property - how modern and of what construction method?
Modern Boiler - how modern and what fuel?
Lots of Insulation - what type and where?
Modern Glazing - How old , what gap. what fill,how much glazing?
Low Energy light bulbs - how many and are they really "low energy" or as quite often a mistake "low voltage".
I notice that you have not mention the hot water systems, secondary heating and lots of other factors that are taken into account. Of course I should not expect you to as you do not fully understand the way the assessment process works.
Whilst this app could be a useful tool for people to see in a very basic way how their property would perform at an assessment it is not the "legal" document that is required for sale or rental purposes.
Landlords and home owners need to understand the legal implications for them if they try to use this as such. If something is found to be incorrect after the sale or rental goes through, they are liable for any costs in putting this right.
Only by using a fully qualified,accredited and insured assessor are they covered by the assessors insurance against such mistakes.
The Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors (IDEA) are the largest support organisation for Energy Assessors in the whole of the UK and are extremely concerned that this app will undermine the integrity of reports that their members produce.
When the emphasis from Government(CLG/DECC) and IDEA is to raise the standards of all reports this app does nothing to help that aim.
If you require an energy assessment report you would be well advised to use our website www.whatstheidea.org to seek one of our highly qualified members to carry this out.
Property lawyers will need to be extra vigilant to ensure that any report they are given contains the 24 digit reference number from the national database. This isused to check the veracity of any report.This cannot appear on any so called 'report' from this app.
Prospective tenants also should have sight of this before they sign any rental agreement.
Failure to provide this by a landlord has already resulted in cases of refund of all rent paid by a tenant up to the date of a legitimate report being produced.
Be warned that Institute IDEA) will press very firmly for CLG/DECC to act against this app being used
Err something is very wrong here. I doubt if most vendors would know about wall types and insulation, ages, extentions issues, old boiler types (no ID), roof rooms etc etc. Even qualified DEA can get it wrong. I can't see how they would be correct ratings many times over.
I can do an EPC in my head. Now let's see. Modern property? Modern boiler? Lots of insulation? Modern glazing? Low energy lightbulbs? Yup, that's about an AB or C then. None of the above? DEFG. Simples!
I have a colour photo-copier. If I copy a spare EPC graph will that do ? I could stick it on all my For sale boards too, to comply with proposed new legislation. Bumpf
This is crazy. The consumer will not realise that the software does not produce a legal EPC and I cannot see that the Qreative Media home page carries any warning. Stand by for us to have yet more upset vendors who will not believe us when we tell them it is no good. DCLG should issue a warning
The Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors (IDEA) Take a very dim view on this app. The survey is far more complex than just data input, this app further undermines the industry.
We feel some landlords may try to use this as this as the original certificate. The industry is already being abused with lack of compliance.
IDEA shall be looking into this matter, and urge agents to ensure that the DEA is an IDEA member.
Colin Bailey
IDEA & EPBD Committee
Yeah great, but you still need a qualified one as well, as Integra rightly points out.
Software cannot do an EPC. It requires an inspection by someone who knows what they are looking for. All DEAs have to be qualified and accredited, carry PI and PL insurance and be CRB checked. All EPCs must be lodged on Govt database and certificates produced accordingly.