ESTATE agent Mullucks Wells has welcomed the reduction in regulations for the sale or rent of listed properties which came into force this month.

From January 9, the Government announced that homes which are listed Grade II, Grade II* or Grade I by English Heritage, no longer need to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they go on the market.

East Herts has 42 conservation areas and 4,000 listed buildings while Uttlesford has 35 conservation areas and 3,500 protected buildings.

William Wells, residential director of business which has offices in Bishop’s Stortford, Great Dunmow and Saffron Walden, said: “Any reduction in red tape for the already complicated business of selling or renting houses is to be welcomed.

“By their nature, listed properties are often poorly insulated and any changes to make them more energy efficient can be very costly, which puts them at risk of being left vacant. “In some cases – such as Grade I properties of exceptional architectural or historic importance – certain improvements would actually be impossible to carry out.

“These new rules might be seen as a surprising move for a Government trying to prove its ‘green’ credentials. But it would appear that the coalition is listening to advice from the property sector, and reducing regulations accordingly.”

Mr Wells added: “We are lucky to have a wealth of listed buildings in this area. Importantly, owners of listed homes can still volunteer to have an EPC and anyone wishing to access the Green Deal would need to commission an EPC first.

“But many improvements should not prove to be too difficult even for listed home owners to carry out – such as adding secondary double glazing or installing a more energy efficient boiler.”