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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Amersham area

If you’re renting, selling, or applying for a re-mortgage, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) carried out by an approved Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

The typical price of an EPC in Amersham is £69.

WHY USE US AS YOUR EPC PROVIDER?

  • No complicated price variations of property types and rooms.
  • No misleading “from” prices.
  • No waiting for an Assessor to call you back.
  • No filling in long complicated forms before you get a quote.

What is An EPC?

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EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a three to five page document that rates the property from an A the best to G the worst. It will also provide recommendations on energy improvements that could be made on the home that could help to reduce your energy bills.

Why You Need One

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{There are various reasons that you may be asked to provide an EPC. The most common of these are if you are selling a property or if you are renting a property. It is a legal requirement that an EPC is given to the other party.}.

• For a remortgage
• Making a claim for funding under the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI)
• Getting grant funding through the Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO)

All of the above illustrations refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked by building control to provide an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they will be looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This sort of EPC is known as SAP EPC and is required by building control to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you have undertaken. Should you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re unsure, simply contact us for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An EPC is done by a qualified and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor has to visit the property to get the required information.

Your assessor will take dimensions of the property plus gather information regarding the existing lighting, home heating, glazing and present insulation. It takes between 20 and 40 minutes, dependant upon the complexity of the home..

The information is then input approved government software which then generates the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, should you require your EPC quickly, for a small additional fee, we will provide an EPC for you on the same day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

That’s it, its all completedYour EPC is then valid for 10 years.

Booking your EPC is easy:

  1. Click the BOOK ONLINE button below
  2. Select an available date and time slot
  3. Give us your name and the address requiring the EPC
  4. Pay securely online or pay on the day
  5. If you prefer you can always call us to book. Call free on 0800 046 7345

That’s it, your EPC is booked. You will receive an email confirmation and a text reminder a day before the visit. Your EPC will be emailed to you in 2 or 3 days. If you order an Express EPC, you will receive it the same day of the visit.

You can cancel with a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of the visit.

How You Can Improve Your EPC Score

Here we will give you some basic tips so that your Energy Performance Certificate shows your property in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will enhance your EPC rating

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The data entered into the software program is based on proof which the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases the Assessor can get almost all the information whilst going around the property.

What we should avoid is the Assessor putting into the software program the term “as built” for items which are needed where no proof is gathered. If the term “as built” has to be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based upon what would have been there when the property was built. This can have a negative impact on the {rating of the EPC}

If you can provide documentary evidence of these types of improvements then these can be shown on the EPC and is likely to improve the rating of your EPC Certificate.


• Any type of wall insulation Cavity/Internal/External– {guarantee, or receipt from installer.}

• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – MCS certificate from installer.

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from installers showing thickness fitted.

• Roof extensions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

• Double glazing improvements to the majority of the property – Certificate from Fensa, or dated receipt from the contractors.

These make the biggest difference

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The three things that have the most significant impact on the energy rating are:


• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in the property.

Main Source of Fuel
UK homes are generally heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a house heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same house which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi-detached using around 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas when compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher costs equates to lower ratings.

Levels Of Insulation
Good levels of insulation ensures that the demand on the heating system is kept down, and it also results in a more comfortable home with lower running costs.

The Heating System
An efficient heating system with good controls such as room thermostat, thermostatic valves and programmer helps to keep energy bills down. This all contributes to a better rating on the EPC.

These make less difference

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Double glazing
Although upgrades to the double glazing will make a difference, the biggest increase is only really achieved when improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, it will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is typically noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific object, this comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the EPC as they are an inexpensive improvement that contributes to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Amersham Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a property owner, make certain you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil fees and penalties up to £5,000 may be issued.

Look at our guidelines for quick information. We offer reductions for several properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all existing rented properties must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Previous to that date an Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Penalties may be issued by the local authority for breach of this.

What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property

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The Minimum Energy Efficiency Scheme (MEES) puts an onus on landlords to provide rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties must be a minimum of an energy rating of an E. If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord must take steps to get to the minimum.

This is where the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine cost-effective ways to achieve the standards.

When the landlord has invested up to £3500 and the property still doesn’t achieve an E, then the landlord can apply for an exemption. We’re happy to give advice all the way.

How To Find If You Have A Valid EPC

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The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government have for the past 10 years kept a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. The register is found at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to find out if your properties have a valid EPC and see that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available article in the Telegraph taken from information on the register discovered that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new rules. This article can be found here. Make sure you are not one of those. As time goes by, we expect more and more local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The rules, having said that, are not meant to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is less than an E, to show you are taking or have taken actions to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are specific exemptions that you might then be able to apply for. We can give you expect advice on all aspects of MEES.

SAP Calculations

If you require a SAP EPC for building control please CLICK HERE.

Here we will answer your most common questions asked about the EPC.
Which Properties Do Not Need To Have An EPC?
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Places of worship.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Are You Able To Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental homes must have a valid EPC recorded on the EPC register. To legally rent a property the energy rating of the EPC needs to be at least an “E”, or the property must have a valid exemption.

    The EPC rates a property from A 100 (the most efficient) to G 0 ( the least efficient). The rating of an typical UK property is a D60 Rental properties have to be at the least an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner would need to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to raise the rating. If an E rating cannot be achieved, then an exemption can be applied for by going to the Government website and applying for an exemption on the PRS register.

    What Is The Minimum EPC Rating To Let A Property?
    The minimum EPC rating for rental is an ‘E’. The EPC rates the property from A, the best to G, the worst. Properties rated F or G, from April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy Efficient upgrades will need to be made, or a valid exemption applied for.
    What Is The Fine For Not Having An EPC?
    A set penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following situations: on sale or rent the vendor or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the potential buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can An EPC Fail?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, various 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specified rating before they decide to proceed. One example might be a financial institution loaning funds against a rental property, would require the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The Energy Performance Certificate will rate the property either A,B,C,D,E,F, or G. An E rating is the legal minimum a property can be in order to rent out. Also, it is becoming the baseline requested by banking institutions when loaning funds against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the money if it is below an E, although there will probably be additional conditions in the agreement.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It would simply have to be renewed. Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, all rental properties must have a valid EPC of at least an E rating or higher. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC will be valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Yes, an Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties and homes which are being sold as well as all newly built properties. By law, the incoming resident must be provided with an EPC.
    Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
    All listed properties are exempt from needing an EPC. A listed building is one as being identified in the database of Historic England as a listed building. A list is available on the historic england website.
    Can You Evict A Tenant Without An EPC?
    If the tenancy began or was renewed after 1 October 2015, a landlord cannot evict using a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not given the tenant an Energy Performance Certficate. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Along with the Energy Performance Certificate the tenant will have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate and also a copy of the government guide “How to rent”. The “How to Rent” guide can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

    Landlords are always advised to get correct legal advice to ensure that all records is presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Home Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be marketed without an EPC subject to one having been requested to be carried out within 7 days. If after making all reasonable efforts one cannot be done within that period, then a further 21 days is allowed to acquire one.
    Is It A Legal Requirement For An EPC When Renting?
    Since April 2020, all dwellings for rental need to have a valid EPC on the EPC register. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of a home from A-G. For rental, the EPC needs to be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    How Much Is An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The cost of an Energy Performance Certificate is typically in the range of £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Usually it is cheaper if going straight to an accredited Assessor rather than using a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We’ve been providing EPCs in Amersham for more than 6 years and are pleased to be keeping costs down in the area. This has helped us to be one of the leading service providers in the area.
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    Serving The Amersham Area

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    0800 0467 345