DETAILS OF SERVICE

General terms of engagement

Sussex Inspections will endeavour to meet whatever requirement you have. Energy Performance Certificates can be supplied the next day, however costs reduce with longer lead times, as we can plan visits more efficiently. Our normal service is three working days, assuming there are no access issues. Savings can be made with a five day service and there is normally a premium for the next day service.

Sussex Inspections believe in the value of Home Condition Reports and will not be rushed into providing one before it is ready. Our normal service is five days, but we will try to match your requirements where possible.

Once a property home has been inspected and the report completed, we provide you with a unique reference number where the report can be electronically accessed in the PDF format from the Central Registry. If clients do not have access to the internet we can supply paper copies on request.

HIP Providers, Solicitors and Estate Agents

Sussex Inspections expect around half our business to come from estate agents who want to be sure they are receiving and providing their clients with the best service. Working directly with Sussex Inspections will reduce lead times to marketing, as we can get on with providing what we do best - inspecting the property - and the solicitor or HIP provider can get on with what they do best - Conveyancing. The remainder of our work will be split between local solicitors and HIP providers.

We are happy to accept payment either from the HIP provider or we can liaise directly with your clients. We accept payment by debit and credit cards, plus cheque either from yourself or directly from your clients. For regular clients we can also set up a credit account.

Home owners

If you are arranging your own Home Information Pack, or you would like to know how green your home is, Sussex Inspections can help. We can supply you with an Energy Performance Certificate and a Home Condition Report. We accept payment by debit and credit cards. Cheques are also acceptable, but we will have to allow time to clear before completing an inspection.

Private and Social Landlords

From October 2007 Social landlords will require an Energy Performance Certificate for all new homes and from October 2008 it will be required for all stock on change of tenancy. For the first time, tenants will know how energy efficient their home is and whether it meets the Government Decent Homes standard (Homes with an energy rating of F or G are unlikely to reach the Decent Homes standard).

Don't wait until the tenants start to complain and the enforcement notices arrive, Sussex Inspections offer a consulting service to landlords on the best ways of meeting the legislation, while minimising costly on-site data collection. Collecting the relevant data now during routine maintenance, could save thousands of pounds in the years ahead.