NAR Funds Opposition to Mandatory Home Energy Audits

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ board of directors approved $200,000 in issues mobilization funding to the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.

The money will be used for a consultant research report in opposition to a city proposal requiring mandatory energy audits at the point of sale.

The proposed audits would include thermal imaging of buildings without the property owner’s permission. Not only can point-of-sale requirements hinder real estate transactions, but the energy audits and subsequent labeling can stigmatize older properties that are not as energy efficient as newer buildings. Then, of course, there’s the issue of privacy concerns, even though thermal imaging cameras cannot “see” through walls.