From this month on, all homes offered for sale or rent will need to have a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate showing their eco-credentials (until now it applied only to new homes and non-residential buildings).
Now that many of us are beginning the New Year with a resolve to be more eco-friendly - whether in search of a clean conscience or low-cost living - it could be a good idea to instill such notions in your smaller friends or relatives. This Eco Doll's House comes with a wind turbine, solar panels, water butts, recycling bins, trees and a bicycle. Theyll soon be asking why all houses dont look like that. The Eco Dolls House, which is just under 2ft (61cm) high, costs €149.95 from Mimitoys in Trim, Co Meath, tel: 01-5292297 or see www.mimitoys.ie.