Surveyors urge a clear Green Deal strategy

RICS has urged the government’s Department of Energy & Climate Change to provide a clear strategy for the Green Deal in order to generate vital confidence in the scheme.

It says  that whilst the Green Deal was a useful way of funding improvements in the UK’s woefully energy-inefficient housing stock, the DECC’s plans would not provide the consumer with truly independent advice on the impact of proposed measures on the condition of the property, the building fabric and building performance.

The DECC must ensure Green Deal Assessors had the right professional qualifications and were independent of big providers like B&Q. A mandatory Home Condition Report before the installation of all Green Deal measures would be a low-cost way of providing the consumer with a clear understanding about what the proposed measures entailed and the potential unintended consequences of not getting professional advice.

The DECC should also clearly define what was meant by an ‘Independent Assessor’ to ensure the consumer had a clear understanding of any existing relationship or obligations with Green Deal providers.

RICS urged the DECC to produce a clear strategy outlining how it intended to encourage take-up and what results this might deliver. This would generate vital confidence in the scheme, particularly crucial amongst small businesses, which would then drive consumer take-up.

RICS members contacted the consumer at all points in the market and would be key in cascading Green Deal measures and their benefit to the profession and consumers.