If you’re buying, selling or renting a home, the chances are that you’ll be familiar with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which appears on listing pages and is often highlighted by sellers or landlords as a reason to move into a property. However, you may not be aware exactly what the certificate tells you and how you go about getting one.
In this Energy Performance Certificate Guide, we answer all your questions about EPCs and explain exactly why these certificates are so important. Read on to have your Energy Performance Certificate explained plainly.
What is an EPC?
Unsurprisingly, the most common question you hear when it comes to these certificates is, “What is an EPC?” As a bit of background, EPCs have been a legal requirement for properties in England and Wales since 2007 when Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced. Although HIPs fell by the wayside in 2010, the requirement for properties to have an EPC has continued.
An EPC essentially serves as a guide to the energy efficiency of a property.
It shows, on a scale of A-G, how a property is rated while also giving an estimate of the rating that could be achieved if certain recommendations were acted on. There’s more detail on this below.
When Do I Need an EPC?
If you’re selling a home or renting one out to others, you’ll need to provide an EPC which can be handed over to your buyer or tenant. This isn’t something you can do late in the process of selling or renting out a property either – it should be ordered before the house goes on the market so potential buyers and tenants can see the energy efficiency of a property before they make a move.
It’s important to note that EPCs are only valid for ten years and that the government has the legal authority to fine people if they don’t obtain one when it’s required.
What is the Marking Score of an EPC?
An EPC works with a rating system of A-G, with A being the most energy efficient possible and G being the least. The higher the rating, the lower the fuel bills will generally be for that property, and the lower its carbon footprint will be.
On average, most properties in England and Wales are in band D. It became illegal in 2018 for properties in bands F and G to be rented out, meaning landlords would have to take measures to improve the energy efficiency of a property before it could be listed on the rental market.
How Much Does an EPC Cost?
There’s no set cost for an EPC, meaning some sellers and landlords are left confused about the authenticity of those offering EPCs. We go into this more below, but you should expect to pay between £30 and £130 for your EPC. It does depend on the size of your home, though, so bear that in mind when you’re looking at your options.
Who Carries Out EPC Assessment?
Only an accredited Energy Performance Certificate assessor is able to issue certificates, and it’s vital that you check an assessor is accredited before they undertake the survey. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government fund a search facility for customers in England and Wales to check if an assessor is registered – that can be found here.
Remember, while an estate agent may offer the services of an EPC assessor they work with, you’re under no obligation to choose the one they recommend.
How is an EPC Carried Out?
When your accredited assessor comes to survey your property, they’ll need access to all rooms and the loft to see what energy efficiency measures are already in place and where there are vulnerabilities. They’ll take photographs and measurements, as well as inspecting heating systems and controls to see how effective they are.
Again, the time it takes to assess your property depends on how big the property is, so be sure to ask your assessor before you book how long it would take, for example, to survey a typical three-bedroomed home.
How Can I Find Out My EPC Score or Obtain a Certificate Copy?
An EPC comes with what’s known as a report reference number (RRN), and this can be used to retrieve the EPC from registers covering England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can also search using an address if you don’t have the number handy.
With the requirement for an EPC to be less than 10 years old, checking your certificate’s date is a good way of keeping on top of your responsibilities, especially if you’re a landlord renting properties to multiple tenants.
Registers are public so, even if a seller or landlord hasn’t supplied the EPC on the home listing, tenants can still check for themselves. Be aware, though, that they may not be up to date.
Do I Need to Implement the Recommendations Shown on My EPC?
No, the recommendations on an EPC are simply ways to help you save money on your energy costs in the long run and reduce the carbon footprint of the property (unless it’s a rental property, that falls into band F or G).
When looking at an EPC, it’s important to remember the figures they give for costs and savings are only estimates, so be sure to get expert advice before having any work done.
Remember, that different rules apply for rental properties that fall into bands F and G. Minimum work must be carried out to improve the energy efficiency rating of a property by the landlord before it can be legally rented on the market. Renewal tenancies on the same property are not exempt from the rules either – failing to make upgrades could result in fines of up to £5,000 for domestic properties.
The Norfolk Agents – Trusted Local Estate Agents
At The Norfolk Agents, we pride ourselves on being trusted local estate agents focused on buying, selling and renting homes across Norfolk. We’re on hand to provide advice, whether you need your Energy Performance Certificate explained or if you have queries about any other aspect of the buying, selling or letting processes. Contact us to arrange your EPC assessment at the same time as discussing the sale or rental of your property.
Recent Comments