What are EPC's?
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
As from 1st October 2008 all properties either for sale or let required an EPC to be available for inspection by a potential buyer or tenant.
EPCs will inform buyers and tenants about the energy efficiency of a property - using a rating system similar to fridges and washing machines from A (good) to G (not so good). You will find that the EPCs are normally attached to details given out to potential buyers or tenants by estate agents etc. EPCs will also include recommendations for any improvements that can be made to assist in the reduction of fuel usage and carbon emissions. This would be evident in reduced energy costs to prospective owners and tenants. All EPCs must be prepared by a Domestic Energy Assessor or a Home Inspector who is a member of a Government accredited scheme.
An Energy Performance Certificate is a detailed assessment of the thermal performance of your home. There are many elements of the property which influence the final rating, these include the construction type, size and age of your home, the water, heating and lighting systems, and an overall account of the thermal insulation levels. When completed this information is used to provide a report detailing the Energy Efficiency Rating.
"Energy performance of the property is becoming more and more important to buyers. A more efficient property may entitle your buyer to a lower rate 'green' mortgage".
What does the Energy Performance Certificate tell me?
UK houses contribute around a massive 30% of all UK carbon emissions and this initiative is part of the wider European legislation to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Performance Certificates will inform us all how we can reduce the heat losses from our homes; reduce our fuel bills and carbon emissions making our planet a more pleasant place to live.
The Energy Certificate forms part of a report that tells you how energy efficient your home is, in terms of energy usage and how much carbon dioxide it produces each year. This also includes recommendations on how to improve the thermal efficiency and environmental impact of your home and will show what ratings can be achieved if the improvements are carried out.
By carrying out the recommendations of the energy report, your home will be more attractive to potential buyers or tenants.
The average rating for a property in the United Kingdom is a 'D'
Do all properties need an EPC?
All domestic properties presented for sale must have an EPC in place. And all domestic properties that are presented for rent or lease must have an EPC in place. As above all commercial properties for sale or rent must have an EPC in place from the 1st October 2008. The few exceptions are as follows:
- Sales of seasonal and holiday accommodation
- Sales of tenanted properties where an EPC has been carried our within 10 year period
- Private sales where the property has not been marketed
- Unsafe (uninhabitable) properties and properties marked for demolition and local authority permission has been granted
- Sales of properties included in a portfolio
What is the Law?
After the suspension of the home information pack, new regulations were also introduced, an extract of which is below:-
6. In order to ensure that people selling their homes continue to make an Energy Performance Certificate available to prospective buyers, we have also laid before Parliament the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 which introduce a number of new requirements including:
- a new duty on the seller to secure that an energy performance certificate (EPC) has been commissioned before marketing of the property commences where no such certificate is already available
- an EPC has been commissioned when a Domestic Energy Assessor has been instructed to prepare the EPC and the EPC has either been paid for or has given a clear undertaking to pay for it
- a new duty on the person acting on behalf of the seller to be satisfied that an EPC has been commissioned before commencing marketing
- a new duty on both the seller and a person acting on their behalf to make reasonable efforts to secure an EPC within 28 days
- all of the new duties carry fixed penalties where somebody fails in the duty conferred on them by the new regulations
The full article can be view at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1591783
What do I do next?
Simply contact us via the contacts pages and we will take you through the process and answer any further questions you may have.