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--- Six in 10 Scots will haggle over house prices if their new home is found to be energy-inefficient ---

Six in 10 Scots (60 per cent) would consider re-negotiating the asking price for a property if they discovered it was highly energy-inefficient – according to a new Energy Saving Trust survey.

The results come at a time when those selling their home need to prepare to publish the energy efficiency rating of their property to prospective buyers.

From 1 December 2008, properties for sale in Scotland will require a Home Report – which includes the requirement for an Energy Report and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be produced.

The Energy Report contains an assessment of the properties energy efficiency, its environmental impact and recommendations on how to improve its carbon emissions. Within the report, EPCs highlight to prospective buyers the energy performance of a property, providing a rating between A-G the higher the rating the more energy efficient it is.

The Energy Saving Trust report suggests that 60 per cent of Scots say that they would re-negotiate the price they would rent or pay for a property if it was F or G-rated, while more than a quarter (26 per cent) would be embarrassed if they lived in an F or G-rated home.

The report also highlights that two thirds of Scots (66 per cent) are unaware that from 1 December 2008 when a property in Scotland is sold the seller will need to provide the buyer with evidence of how well it scores when it comes to energy efficiency.

Mike Thornton, Director for Scotland, Energy Saving Trust, said: "We welcome the forthcoming introduction of Energy Performance Certificates in Scotland and hope they will encourage landlords and homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of their properties.

"We urge all homeowners and landlords to see this as an opportunity not a challenge. The average homeowner could save £340 a year by being more energy efficient and all the evidence points to the fact that an energy-efficient home will not only command higher rental value but also a higher price."

Homeowners and landlords can apply for grants and offers from energy suppliers to make their homes more energy efficient through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).

The survey was commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, Scotland – the UK's leading organisation set up to help people fight climate change.

The Energy Saving Trust's consumer research also found that:

·         Just two per cent of Scots think their home would achieve a 'very efficient' A rating.

·         A quarter of Scots (25 per cent) thought their home would achieve a D classification.

The research was undertaken by ICM on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust. The survey was conducted between 5 and 7 September 2008 among 2,146 adults across the UK.

 Notes for Editors:

 About the Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust is one of Scotland and the UK’s leading organisations addressing the damaging effects of climate change. It aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions – the main greenhouse gas causing climate change – by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. 
 
The Energy Saving Trust in Scotland is part of a UK-wide non-profit organisation providing impartial information and advice. It manages a network of advice centres in Scotland specifically designed to help consumers take action to save energy. The Energy Saving Scotland network aims to reach 250,000 people every year.

The Energy Saving Trust's work in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government.

Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

About Home Reports

Energy Reports and EPCs form part of the overall Home Report which will be introduced in Scotland from 1 December 2008.

The Home Report includes three documents: a Single Survey; Energy Report (which includes the EPC) and a Property Questionnaire. The Single Survey consists of an assessment by a surveyor while the Energy Report will contain an assessment by a surveyor of the energy efficiency of the property and its environmental impact.

New builds, private sales and properties put on the market before 1 December 2008 will not require a Home Report but do require an EPC. From 4 January 2009 this legislation will also apply to domestic property rentals.

MEDIA INFORMATION

Contact:

·         David Sawyer 07770 886923 /dsawyer@webershandwick.com

·         Lisa Palompo 07770 886932 / lpalompo@webershandwick.com