http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8544790.stm

Oh yes, nothing could possibly go wrong with that

Nothing can go wrong, but kudos to all the parties for beginning to think about this stuff seriously.

We caught a report and discussion about the Labour proposals (house loan, pay off through the energy bills, transfers to new owners rather than individuals, etc) and we both said "Let's keep an eye on this. It sounds like a good idea."

I bet that there will be a few who use it to get insulation then sell it on ebay or similar. Or get it installed then rip it out when they sell up to take with them. Unlikely but some will be thinking along those lines.

Thing the DIDN’T mention in that article, but did on the news on the radio was that the loan transfers to the new owner of the house. So you take out a loan for loads of cash, sell the house and the new purchaser will be liable for it.

It’s kind of hinted at in the last paragraph of the article:

Yes but by law that will have to be detailed in the Home Information Pack.

Indeed. I wonder if that would be a hinderance when selling a property.

Possdibly not, it would depend on when the loans were taken out. If they had nearly expired would that even be an issue? Though standards may have improved by then.

A good idea I think – although they really should tighten up the general building rules and increase the minimum standards for insulation for all new builds. The extra cost would be minimal as most of the cost for a standard house is the costs of the land and not the cost of the actual building

In order to work it needs (I think)

Compulsory advice of outstanding load to any new buyer
The ability to move the loan from one energy Co to another at NO fee (so you are not locked into 1 company’s prices)

The general building codes are improving. Though not for 4 years. They should happen now. Why buy a new house over the next few years knowing that it will not be up to code?