the complete guide to buying, developing & investing in green property catherine dawson the complete guide to buying, developing & investing in green property Thispageintentionally leftblank ii Thispageintentionally leftblank iii Thispageintentionally leftblank iv Thispageintentionally leftblank v Thispageintentionally leftblank vi Thispageintentionally leftblank vii Thispageintentionally leftblank viii Thispageintentionally leftblank ix 242 Useful Websites www.recycleworks.co.uk This company manufactures and sells recycling products such as composting equipment, water butts, waste organizations systems andshredders.Italsohasa‘giveaway’servicethatenablesusersto offerunwanteditemsingoodconditionfreeofcharge www.wigglywigglers.co.uk Thiscompanyofferssustainableproductsrangingfromvarioustype ofwormcompostingequipmenttobirdboxesandfeeders.Onthe websiteyoucanfindusefuladviceaboutwormcomposting www.livingclean.co.uk On this website you can obtain environmentally friendly cleaning productswhicharebasedonnaturalproductsandfreefromharmful chemicals.Thecompanyalsooffersacleaningserviceforlandlords, using its environmentally friendly products to clean carpets, upholstery,ovensandbathrooms Governmentdepartments,schemesand programmes www.communities.gov.uk This is the Department for Communities and Local Government website. Here you can find comprehensive information about the Housing Act 2004, including information about the new Housing HealthandSafetyRatingSystem(HHSRS)assessment www.eca.gov.uk On this website you can obtain details about the enhanced capital allowance (ECA) scheme, and information about the technologies thatareincludedwithinthisscheme www.hmrc.gov.uk On this website you can obtain more information about claiming ECAs,alongwithinformationaboutallothertaxissues www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk This is the website of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. On this site you can find information about grants available for the installationofrenewableenergytechnologies UsefulWebsites 243 www.fsa.gov.uk TheFinancialServicesAuthority(FSA)istheindependentregulator setupbythegovernmenttolookafterthefinancialservicesindustry andprotectcustomers.Onitswebsiteyoucanobtaininformationon financial planning, insurance, pensions, mortgages, and warnings aboutscams,peopleandcompaniestoavoid www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk You can find statistics for local areas on a wide range of subjects, whichincludepopulation,crime,healthandhousing,onthissite.By enteringthepostcodeofthepropertyinwhichyouareinterestedyou canobtainsummarystatisticsoftheareabasedonthe2001Census. Ausefultableshowsyoutheaveragehousepricesofdifferenttypes of property in your area, your county and in England and Wales. Youcanalsoviewthestatisticsbysubject:‘housing’revealsmany different tables, ranging from accommodation type to occupancy rating www.landregisteronline.gov.uk Land Register Online provides easy access to details of more than 20 million registered properties in England and Wales. You can download copies of title plans and registers in PDF format for £3 each,payableonlinebycreditcard www.ros.gov.uk This is the website of the Registers of Scotland ExecutiveAgency. It provides information about Scotland’s land and property. On thewebsite,forasmallfee,youcanfindoutaboutpropertyprices anywhereinScotland Tradeorganizationsandprofessionalassociations www.aecb.net The Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) is a networkofindividualsandcompanieswithacommonaimofpromoting sustainable building. On the website you can find information about improving the environmental performance of your property; choosing eco-friendly products and avoiding damaging chemicals;usingtimber;andplanninganddevelopingeco-friendly properties 244 Useful Websites www.british-hydro.org The British Hydropower Association represents the interests of people who are involved in the production of hydro power in the UnitedKingdom,fromlargecompaniestoindividualsandcharities. On its website you can find comprehensive information about producinghydropowerandthecostsinvolved www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk The National Insulation Association (NIA) represents the manufacturersandinstallersofalltypesofinsulationanddraught-proofing. Onthiswebsiteyoucanfinddetailsofaninstallerandmanufacturer inyourareabyaccessingtheRegisterofMembersandtheRegister of Manufacturers. The website contains useful information about insulationanddraught-proofingtechniquesandmaterials www.ukrha.org The UK Rainwater HarvestingAssociation (UK-RHA) is a limited company by guarantee that serves to act as a focal point for organizations with business interests in the rainwater harvesting industry. On its website you can access more information about rainwaterharvestingandobtaincontactdetailsofmembers www.thepfs.org The Personal Finance Society (PFS) is the merged professional association of the Life Insurance Association and the Society of Financial Advisers. Visit this website to use the online directory offinancialadvisersintheUnitedKingdom.Thewebsitecontains usefulinformationaboutvarioustypesofinvestmentandobtaining financialadvice Directories www.unbiased.co.uk ThisistheIndependentFinancialAdviserPromotion(IFAP)website. Itisadirectoryof9,000individualsandorganizations,coveringover 90percentofregisteredIFAsintheUnitedKingdom.Onthewebsite youcansearchforanIFAinyourareabygender,investmenttype, qualification and the method in which you would like to pay for advice UsefulWebsites 245 CampaigngroupsandNGOs www.climnet.org The Climate Action Network (CAN) is a worldwide network of over365NGOsworkingtopromoteactiononlimitingthehuman influenceonclimatechange.Onitswebsiteyoucanfindinformation about climate change trends and signals, along with information aboutCANoffices www.climate-concern.com Climate Concern UK is a campaign group focused on increasing public understanding of the dangers of climate change. On the website you can obtain information about the effects of climate change, and useful information to combat scepticism over climate change Furtherreading Callard, S and Millia, D (2001) The Complete Book of Green Living, Carlton,London Chiras,D(2002)TheSolarHouse:Passiveheatingandcooling,Chelsea Green,PostMills,Vermont Chiras, D (2004) The New Ecological Home: A complete guide to green buildingoptions,ChelseaGreen,PostMills,Vermont Clift,JandCuthbert,A(2006)Energy:Useless,savemore,GreenBooks, Totnes Clift,JandCuthbert,A(2006)Water:Useless,savemore,GreenBooks, Totnes Dawson,C(2006)TheCompleteGuidetoPropertyDevelopmentforthe SmallInvestor,KoganPage,London Dean,A(2003)GreenbyDesign,GibbsMSmith,Layton,Utah Hall, K (ed) (2005) The Green Building Bible, Green Building Press, Llandysul Hancock,J(2005)AnInvestor’sGuidetoEthicalandSociallyResponsible Investment Funds: A unique analysis of UK based investment funds, KoganPage,London Harland,E(1999)Eco-Renovation:Ecologicalhomeimprovementguide, ResurgenceBooks,London Harris,CandBorer,P(2005)TheWholeHouseBook:Ecologicalbuilding designandmaterials,2ndedn,CentreforAlternativeTechnology, Machynlleth Hegarty,M(2000)TheLittleBookofLivingGreen,NightingalePress, Royston Kennedy, J F, Smith, M G and Wanek, C (2002) The Art of Natural Building: Design, construction, resources, New Society, Gabriola Island,BritishColombia Hymers, P (2006) Converting to an Eco-Friendly Home: The complete handbook,NewHolland,London Jones,E(2006)GoMakeaDifference,3rdedn,ThinkBooks,London Litchfield, C (ed) (2005) The Organic Directory 2006, Green Books, Totnes FurtherReading 247 Norris,S(2005)Superkids!250incrediblewaysforkidstosavetheplanet, ThinkBooks,London Plowright,T.(2007)Eco-centresandCourses,GreenBooks,Totnes Roberts,J(2003)GoodGreenHomes,GibbsMSmith,Layton,Utah Roaf,S(2001)EcoHouse:Adesignguide,ArchitecturalPress,Oxford Roulac,J(1998)BackyardComposting,GreenBooks,Totnes Scott,N(2003)CompostingforAll,GreenBooks,Totnes Scott,N(2004)Reduce,Reuse,Recycle!Aneasyhouseholdguide,Green Books,Totnes Siegle,L(2001)GreenLivingintheUrbanJungle,GreenBooks,Totnes Smith, P (2003) Eco-Refurbishment: A practical guide to creating an energyefficienthome,ArchitecturalPress,Oxford Snell, C and Callahan, T (2005) Building Green: A complete how-to guidetoalternativebuildingmethods,LarkBooks,Asheville,North Carolina Trask,C(2006)It’sEasyBeingGreen:Ahandbookforearthfriendlyliving, GibbsSmith,Layton,Utah Warren, P (2003) How to Store your Garden Produce: The key to self sufficiency,GreenBooks,Totnes Index alternativeenergy assessment 66,67,82 animalwelfare 94,104 argon-gas-filledwindowssee glazing armstrade 94 AssociationforEnvironment ConsciousBuilding 156, 161,184,189,236–37, 243–44 AssociationofHome InformationPack Providers 72,82,233 AssociationofIndependent InventoryClerks 131,140, 236 BFRCseeBritishFenestration RatingCouncil bio-fuels 40,95,215 blownmineralwoolsee insulationmaterials boreholeseegeothermalpower boundarydisputes 146,147–48 BritishFenestrationRating Council 28,50–51,229 BritishHydropower Association 36,53,67, 244 BritishPhotovoltaic Association 40,66 Britishsheep’swoolsee insulationmaterials BritishWindEnergy Association 35,52,66,183, 233 brushdraught-proofingsee draught-proofingmaterials buildingpreservationnotice 166 buildingregulations 146, 169–70 BuildingResearch Establishment 188, 229–230 carbonoffsetschemes 21–22 CarbonTrust 12–13,227–28, 240 CarbonNeutralCompany 94 CATseeCentreforAlternative Technology CavityInsulationGuarantee Agency 21,50,237 cavitywallinsulationsee insulation CentralHeating Programme 48,86,139, 213,226 CentreforAlternative Technology 51–52, 219–20 CFLSseelighting CIGAseeCavityInsulation GuaranteeAgency CleanAirAct 66 ClimateActionNetwork 14, 245 ClimateCare 94 ClimateConcernUK 14,245 ClimateGroup 30 codeofbusinessethics 9,95, 98,99,110 CommunityActionfor Energy 11,225 CommunityComposting Network 193 compactfluorescentlampssee lighting composting 191,192–93,195, 200,205,241 compostingtoilets 60,79,146 condensingboiler 16,55,78, 81,95,132,133 conservationareas 60 corkseeinsulationmaterials CouncilofLicensed Conveyancers 73,236 CouncilofMortgage Lenders 102 croprotation 193 Index 249 double-glazingseeglazing draughtexcludersseedraughtproofingmaterials draught-proofingmaterials brush 25 draughtexcluders 25 foam 25 sealant 25 strip 25 weatherbars 25 eco-developmentprojects 106 eco-friendlymaterials fixturesandfittings 69 furnishings 69 timber 153 paintsandwallpaper 69,77, 81,156 woodfinishes 156 ecologicalpayback 94–95 EcologyBuildingSociety 95, 100–01 e-conveyancingseeelectronic conveyancing eco-tourism 106 electricity DCLGseeDepartmentfor off-peakelectricity 28 CommunitiesandLocal electricitymetres 29 Government greenfund 35,42 DEFRAseeDepartmentfor greentariff 4,35,42,55,77, Environment,Foodand 81 RuralAffairs nationalgrid 35,42,182 Departmentfor electricitymetresseeelectricity CommunitiesandLocal electronicconveyancing 70, Government 71–72,76,82, 82 83,118,134,230,242 emptypropertygrants 118–19, DepartmentforEnvironment, 158,209–10 FoodandRuralAffairs 13, endowments 95,103,109 212 energyaudit 61,82 DepartmentforWorkand EnergyEfficiencyAdvice Pensions 109 Centre 49,128,224 DIYbuildersandconverters energyefficiencyassessment refundscheme 184,218 250 Index EnergyEfficiency Commitment 48–49,116, 177 energyperformance certificate 42,58–60,90, 94,105,107,143 EnergySavingRecommended logo 121,136,182 EnergySavingTrust 6,8, 10–11,16,20–21,25, 28, 30,40,75,120–121, 128,135,136–37,182,215, 216,223–24,239 energy-savinglightbulbssee lighting Energywatch 29 EnglishHeritage 166 enhancedcapital allowance 119–120,128, 157,162,216–17,242 EPCseeenergyperformance certificate equityrelease 13 ESTseeEnergySavingTrust ethicalcodeofpractice 94 ethicalfinancialadvisers 95, 99–100 ethicalfunds 95,109 EthicalInvestmentResearch Service 93,96,100,101, 102,227–29 EthicalInvestors Association 114,240 EthicalInvestorsGroup 93, 113,228 ethicalmortgagesseemortgages ethicalpolicy EthicalTradingInitiative 194, 204–05,234–35 EUenergylabelseeEuropean EnergyLabel EUPerformanceofBuildings Directive 82 EuropeanEnergyLabel 28,30, 121 externalcladdingseeinsulation materials externalrenderseeinsulation materials externalwallinsulationsee insulation FacultyofPartyWall Surveyors 147,161 FairtradeFoundation 204,238 FinancialServices Authority 98,99,101,111, 243 fire-retardedrecycled newspaperseeinsulation materials flexiblethermalliningsee insulationmaterials foamdraught-proofingsee draught-proofingmaterials ForestStewardship Council 153,162,182 Foundationsseehome improvementagencies FriendsoftheEarth 42 FSAseeFinancialServices Authority FSCseeForestStewardship Council gasmetres 29 geneticmodification 94 geothermalpower borehole 40,66 geothermalheat 40,79,81 geothermalheatpumps 40, 95,214,215 groundloop 40 trench 40,66 glazing argon-gas-filledwindows 28 double-glazing 25–28,78, 81,95 glazingfacingsouth 55 low-eglazing 25,28 PVCwindows 25 triple-glazing 25,28,78,81, 95 woodenwindowframes 25, 78 globaltrade 94 GreenBuildingStore 20,153, 162,182,240 GreenElectricityMarket Place 42,53,241 greenfundseeelectricity GreenLandlords’Scheme 115–16 GreenRegister 153,162 greentariffseeelectricity Greenpeace 42 grey-watercollection 60,198, 199 groundloopseegeothermal power Index 251 homeinformationpack 8,61, 70,80–81,88 housesinmultipleoccupation grants 117,159,210-11 HousingHealthandSafety RatingSystem 49,118, 119,124,158,159,209,210 HRCseehomeconditionreport humanrights 94,104 hydropower 35–36,67,79,81, 143,214,215 individualsavings accounts 95,103,109 insulation cavitywallinsulation 21,30, 78,81,95,116,136,208, 211 externalwallinsulation 21, 78,81 internalwallinsulation 21, 78,81 loftinsulation 20,30,55,77, 95,116,136,208,211 insulationboardsseeinsulation healthandsafety 171,175 materials HeatingandHotWaterIndustry insulationmaterials Council 20,52–53, blownmineralwool 21 239–240 Britishsheep’swool 20,153 heatingcontrols 20,30,55,77, cork 25 81,208 externalcladding 21 HHSRSseeHousingHealthand externalrender 21 SafetyRatingSystem fire-retardedrecycled HIPseehomeinformationpack newspaper 20,153 homeconditionreport 81–82 flexiblethermallining 21 homeenergyefficiency insulationboards 21 grants 138,158,208 plant-fibreboard 21 HomeEnergyEfficiency polystyrenebeads 21 Scheme 20,47,86,138, rigidthermalboard 21 211–12,226 rubber 25 homeimprovement tubesealant 21 agencies 13–14,138,209, ureaformaldehydefoam 21 225–26 woolquilts 21 252 Index insurance accident,sicknessand unemployment insurance 93 buildingsandcontents insurance 69 buy-to-letinsurance 93 criticalillnessinsurance 93 ethicalinsurance 93 greenbuildingsandcontents insurance 70–71 homeinsurance 13 lifeinsurance 93,109–110 mortgageprotection 93 rentguaranteeinsurance 93 siteinsurance 171,175 integrateddigital televisions 30,136 internalwallinsulationsee insulation inventory 131 ISAsseeindividualsavings accounts LandRegistrationAct2002 47 LandRegistry 61,69,70,73, 147–48,161–62,243 landfillgas 41 landlords’energysavings allowance 116,119 LCBPseeLowCarbonBuildings Programme lighting compactfluorescent lamps 28 energy-savinglightbulbs 28,30,73,81,135,208, 211 listedbuildings 60,68,145,166 loftinsulationseeinsulation LowCarbonBuildings Programme 8,35,40,48, 53,86,160,185,214,242 low-eglazingseeglazing MailingPreferenceService 43 mortgages buy-to-letmortgage 96–97 ethicalmortgages 94–96 greenmortgages 94 interest-onlymortgages 109 mortgagesforgreennew buildandrenovation 96–97 NationalAssociationofEstate Agents 85,87,231–32 NationalAssociationofLoft InsulationContractors 20, 50,232–33 NationalEnergyFoundation 6, 11–12,20–21,137,219,239 NationalHouse-Building Council 170 NationalInsulation Association 21,52,244 naturalbuildingmaterials strawbales 55 timberframes 55 NEFseeNationalEnergy Foundation negativescreening 94,96,104, 105,110 NHBCseeNationalHouseBuildingCouncil NIAseeNationalInsulation Association nuclearpower 35,104 OfficeofGasandElectricity Markets 29 off-peakelectricityseeelectricity OfgemseeOfficeofGasand ElectricityMarkets OmbudsmanforEstate Agents 85,87–88,232 OneMillionSustainableHomes project 187 organicgrowing 193–96 outlineconsent 165,167 Index 253 recycling aluminiumfoil 45 cans 44 carbatteries 46 cardboard 43–44 PartyWallAct 146–47 clothes,shoesandtextiles 45 pensions computers 46 pensionpolicy 95 engineoil 46 personalpensions 106–09 furnitureandappliances self-investedpersonal 46–47 pensions 103,108 glass 44 smallself-administered nappies 45 schemes 108 paper 43 stakeholderpension plastic 44,191 schemes 107 spectacles 45 PensionsAdvisory YellowPages 43 Service 109,113–14,226 reforestationschemes 29,94 PersonalFinanceSociety 100, RegistersofScotlandExecutive 102,244 Agency 61,69,73,243 pestcontrol 194–95,242 RenewableEnergy PesticideActionNetwork Association 35,51,237 UK 194,204,223 RenewableEnergyAssurance photovoltaiccellsseesolar Scheme 35 power renovationgrants 49,118,158, PlanningInspectorate 168, 209 186,231 ResidentialPropertyPrice planningpermission 60,66,96, Report 69 143,145,146,164–66,183, restrictivecovenants 68 188 RHSseeRoyalHorticultural plant-fibreboardseeinsulation Society materials rigidthermalboardsee pollution 68 insulationmaterials polystyrenebeadsseeinsulation RoyalHorticultural materials Society 185,196,198,202, positivescreening 94,96, 205,221,239 103–04,105,110 RoyalInstituteofBritish propertyfunds 107–07 Architects 175,186,235 PVcellsseephotovoltaiccells RoyalInstituteofChartered PVCwindowsseeglazing Surveyors 61,72,169, 185–86,235 rainwaterharvesting 60,79, rubberseeinsulationmaterials 198 RealNappyCampaign 45 SAPrating 83,94 254 Index SCHRIseeScottishCommunity andHouseholder RenewablesInitiative ScottishCommunityand HouseholderRenewables Initiative 35,40,48,86, 160,184–85,214–15 sealantdraught-proofingsee draught-proofingmaterials SIPPs(self-investedpersonal pensions)seepensions smartmetres 29 soil soilfertility 29 soilmanagement 195–96 soiltype 84 SoilAssociation 195,200,203, 222–23 solarcollectorsseesolarpower solarpanelsseesolarpower solarpower photovoltaiccells 36,40,95, 215 solarcollectors 40 solarpanels 40,66,79,81 solarradiation 36 solarthermal technologies 26,40,95, 214,215 solarwaterpump 199 solarradiationseesolarpower solarthermaltechnologiessee solarpower StampDutyLandTax 69,184, 217–18 statementofethical principals StrawBaleBuilding Association 176,187,234 strawbalesseenaturalbuilding materials stripdraught-proofingsee draught-proofingmaterials structuralwarranties 170 SupportingPeople Programme 13 SustainableEnergyPolicy Division 13,230 tenancyagreement 131,141 tidalpower 41 timberframesseenatural buildingmaterials triple-glazingseeglazing tubesealantseeinsulation materials UKRainwaterHarvesting Association 244 UKSocialInvestment Forum 112,234 UKTimberFrame Association 176,187 UKWindSpeedDatabase 66, 183 ureaformaldehydefoamsee insulationmaterials ventilation 9,21,126 volatileorganic compounds 156 Walter SegalSelfBuild Trust 176 wasteincineration 42 wavepower 41 weatherbarsseedraughtproofingmaterials WildlifeTrust 202–03,221–22, 239 windpower 36,79,81,95,143, 183,214,215 woodenwindowframessee glazing wood-firedcentralheating system 66 woolquiltsseeinsulation materials WWF 187–88,220–21 wormcomposting 193,206, 242 Index 255 WarmDeal 20,47,86,139, 212–13,226 WarmFront 20,47,86,138, 139,212,226 WarmHomes 20,48,86,139, 213,226 Indexofadvertsiers Baufritz 177–79 Baxi 17–19 Dimplex 62–65 earthBornPaints 149–52 EcologicalBuildingSystems 56–59 GlassandGlazingFederation 22–24 GoodEnergyLtd 31–34 Heuga xviii–xxiii HufHaus 172–74 InitialLights 26–27 KingspanInternational iv–v LeedsBuildingSociety 90–92 NICEIC xii Plan-M 180–81 Polypipe ix–xi Tyˆ-Mawr 154–55 Vaillant ii–iii Villavent 37–39 WorcesterBoschGroup vi–viii ... guide to buying, developing & investing in green property Thispageintentionally leftblank ii Thispageintentionally leftblank iii Thispageintentionally leftblank iv Thispageintentionally... websites114;Furtherreading114 7 Landlords 115 Understandingthe Green Landlords’Scheme115; Knowingaboutgrants and loansforlandlords116; Knowingabouttaxincentivesforlandlords119;Producing... Buyingland164;Obtainingpermission165;Understandingrules,regulations and procedures169;Planning and designing175;Ethicalpurchasing and sourcing182; Generatingyourownenergy182;Obtaininggrants and taxincentives184;Summary185;Usefulorganizations