Homebuyers, not developers, will pay for Energy labellng
As you may be aware, the Government has introduced the new energy labelling of houses in a way which benefits developers and disadvantages home buyers.
The new regulation implementing the EU Directive on the Energy Labelling of buildings, makes it clear that from 1 January 2009, all houses and apartments which are being sold or let must have an energy label. However developers will only have to produce an energy label for dwellings for which planning permission was applied for from 1 January this year. In other words, developers will be allowed to build homes WITHOUT an energy label for the next two years, even though the subsequent owners will have to have such a label.
This is an inexplicable concession to property developers at the expense of the homebuyer. This will add to the costs of young couples in Mayo who may have to trade up from an apartment to a starter home, with the arrival of children. Or indeed, an older couple, planning retirement, trading down when the kids leave home.
The Government has known for the past five years that the labelling system would have to be introduced. They delayed its introduction and indeed got a three-year deferral until January 2009. Now they are belatedly implementing the measure, but in a way which imposes no burden on developers, and all the burden on homeowners.
This is a further concession to the building industry. If the Government had been serious about its Kyoto commitments on carbon emissions, this directive could have been implemented years ago. Please let me know what you think. If we dont fight on issues like what other concessions will be made to big business without us ever knowing?
As you may be aware, the Government has introduced the new energy labelling of houses in a way which benefits developers and disadvantages home buyers.
The new regulation implementing the EU Directive on the Energy Labelling of buildings, makes it clear that from 1 January 2009, all houses and apartments which are being sold or let must have an energy label. However developers will only have to produce an energy label for dwellings for which planning permission was applied for from 1 January this year. In other words, developers will be allowed to build homes WITHOUT an energy label for the next two years, even though the subsequent owners will have to have such a label.
This is an inexplicable concession to property developers at the expense of the homebuyer. This will add to the costs of young couples in Mayo who may have to trade up from an apartment to a starter home, with the arrival of children. Or indeed, an older couple, planning retirement, trading down when the kids leave home.
The Government has known for the past five years that the labelling system would have to be introduced. They delayed its introduction and indeed got a three-year deferral until January 2009. Now they are belatedly implementing the measure, but in a way which imposes no burden on developers, and all the burden on homeowners.
This is a further concession to the building industry. If the Government had been serious about its Kyoto commitments on carbon emissions, this directive could have been implemented years ago. Please let me know what you think. If we dont fight on issues like what other concessions will be made to big business without us ever knowing?
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