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Energy Performance Certificates |EPC Certificates

EPC Aylesbury

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We undertake EPCs in your area

We are a team of local Surveyors, that undertake EPCs in Aylesbury and nearby surrounding areas. As accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, we would be pleased to undertake your EPC whether it’s needed for rental or perhaps for a home sale. Our usual charge to do an EPC in Aylesbury is only £55 inclusive.

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Steph Explains Below Just What Is An EPC.

If you’ve not moved home during the last 10 years, or maybe you’ve been recently asked to produce an EPC report for rental then you should take a look at our information video that explains more about what an EPC is.

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.
We also cover these nearby areas: Manor Park, Victoria Park, Broughton, Stone, Upton, St Leonards, Berkhamsted, Chesham, Bletchley, Amersham

What is An EPC?

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An EPC is a legal report that gives advice on energy saving actions that can easily make a home inexpensive to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy rating seen on home appliances, it will give the property a rating between an A (100) to a G (0). A typical UK property is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

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The most typical reason for needing an Energy Performance Certificate is for anyone who is selling or renting a home. It is because, by law, you have to give the incoming resident a valid EPC. These are some of the other reasons you could be asked to provide an EPC.

• 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 requested 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 type of EPC is known as SAP EPC and is required by building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you have undertaken. In case you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not sure, simply contact us for more guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor must undertake a visit to the property to obtain the required data for the EPC. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the property and also gather specifics of the current lighting, home heating, glazing and present insulation. It takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, depending upon the complexity of the property..

The details are then entered into approved government software which produces the certificate. The EPC Certificate will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. However, should you need your EPC urgently, for a small additional fee, we can provide an EPC for you on the same day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

That’s it, its all completed. Your EPC is then valid for ten years

LANDLORDS - ARE YOU UP TO DATE?
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.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE
Call Free 0800-0467-345

How You Can Enhance Your EPC Rating

Here we will offer you some easy guidelines so that your EPC shows your property in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC rating

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The information put into the software is based on proof that the Assessor collects during the visit. Typically the Assessor will get the majority of the information whilst going around the property.

Your Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary information which is important for audit reasons. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In such a case the program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can supply documentary evidence of any of these kinds of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the Certificate and will probably improve the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

• Double glazing improvements made to the majority of the property – Fensa certificate, or dated receipt from the installers.

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

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains things that have the biggest effect 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 properties are typically heated by either of these kinds of fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a home heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat by gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts 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 does make a difference, the biggest difference is actually really achieved when you are upgrading from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, this will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the property. With double glazing the perception is typically sensed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does help the Energy Performance Certificate since they are a low cost improvement that leads to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating, insulation, and heating controls.

Aylesbury Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. For anyone who is a landlord, be sure that you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil penalty charges as much as £5,000 could be given.

Have a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We also offer discounts for multiple properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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As From April 2020, all existing rental properties need to have a valid EPC. Before that date an Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Penalties and fees may be issued by the local authority for violation 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 offer rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties have to be not less than 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 must work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost effective solutions to reach the standards.

If the landlord has put in 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 guidance 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 managed a register of all EPCs. The register can be found at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to find out if your rentals have a valid Certificate and determine that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recent article in the Telegraph taken from information on the register discovered that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new regulations. This article can be found here. Ensure you are not one of them. As time passes, we anticipate an increasing number of Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The policies, however, are not meant to be onerous. The initial step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be below an E, to demonstrate you are taking or have taken actions to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t achieve an E, there are certain exemptions that you could then be able to apply for. We can give you expect recommendations 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 Dwellings Are Exempt From Needing An EPC?
  • Listed buildings.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Places of worship.
    • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having An EPC?
    No. From April 2020 all rental homes need to have a valid EPC registered on the EPC register. To legally rent a property the energy rating of the EPC has to be at least an “E”, or the property must have a valid exemption.

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

    What Is The Minimum EPC Rating To Let A Property?
    Properties rented out in the private sector will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum energy performance rating of ‘E’. It will be illegal to rent out a property which does not have a minimum E rating unless the property has an exemption.
    What Is Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
    A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be given 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 You Fail An EPC?
    Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specific rating before they decide to continue. An example might be a bank loaning money against a rental property, will require the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The EPC will rate your property either A,B,C,D,E,F, or G. An E rating is the legal minimum a property can be to be able to rent out. Also, it is getting to be the baseline requested by banking institutions when loaning money against a home.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to borrow the funds when it is below an E, although there will probably be additional clauses in the agreement.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It will simply have to be renewed. Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, all rental properties need to 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 is valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and homes that are being sold as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the incoming resident has to 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 described in the database of Historic England as a listed building. The list is available on the historic england website.
    Can You Evict A Tenant Without An EPC?
    If the tenancy started or was renewed after 1 October 2015, a landlord cannot evict with a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not provided the tenant with an EPC. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    In addition to the EPC 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 documentation is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can A Home Be Marketed Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be advertised without having an EPC subject to one having actually been booked to be done within seven days. If after making all realistic efforts one can not be acquired within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to obtain one.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement When Renting?
    Since April 2020, all dwellings for rental will need to have a valid EPC on the EPC register. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of a property from A-G. For rental, the EPC has to be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    Do You Know The Cost Of An EPC?
    The price of an EPC is usually in the range of £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Usually it will be cheaper if going directly to a certified Assessor as opposed to using a third party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We love Aylesbury and we are pleased to be one of the better EPC providers in the region. {Get in touch.}
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