Need an EPC in Berkhamsted?

Fixed Price EPC – only £59

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Berkhamsted 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 Berkhamsted is £59.

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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An EPC is a legal report that provides recommendations on energy saving measures that can easily make a property inexpensive to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy rating found on electrical home appliances, it will give the property a rating between an A (100) to a G (0). An average UK home is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

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The most frequent reason for requiring an Energy Performance Certificate is If you are selling or renting a home. This is because, by law, you have to give the incoming resident a valid Energy Performance. However you might be required to obtain an EPC for any one of these reasons..

• 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 examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked by building control to provide an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they are looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This kind 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. If you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re uncertain, just give us a call for more advice.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor must carry out a visit to the home to get the necessary data for the EPC. They are certified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home and also obtain information about the present lighting, heating, glazing and present insulation. A normal size property normally takes around 20 and 30 minutes..

The details are then input approved government software which then generates the EPC. The EPC is then lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, if you need to have your EPC urgently, for a small additional fee, we will produce an EPC for you on the same day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

That’s it, its all doneYour 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.

Ways To Boost Your EPC Rating

Here we will offer you some simple tips so that your EPC reflects your home in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC rating

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The data entered into the software is based on proof that the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases your Assessor will get almost all the information whilst going around the home.

Your Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary evidence which is required for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In this instance the software will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

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


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

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

• Loft conversions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

• Any type of wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the installer

These make the biggest difference

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The three items that have the most significant effect on the energy rating are:


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

Main Source of Fuel
UK homes 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 house heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £596 to heat with gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC rating. Higher expenses 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 improvements to the double glazing does make a difference, the greatest increase is actually really achieved if you are upgrading from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 double glazing, it will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the property. With double glazing the perception is typically noticed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any specific item, this kind of comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the Energy Performance Certificate because they are an affordable improvement that leads to lower energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Berkhamsted Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, make sure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalty charges of up to £5,000 could be given.

Look at our guidelines for quick advice. We provide reductions for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all existing rental properties must have a valid EPC. Before that date an EPC was only necessary on new rentals. Fines 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 offer rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties need 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 reach the minimum.

This is when the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine 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 Energy Performance Certificates. The register can be found at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to find out if your properties 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 found out that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new rules. The information is available 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.

These rules, nevertheless, are not intended to be onerous. The 1st step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be less than an E, to demonstrate that you are currently taking or have taken steps to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are certain exemptions that you could then be able to apply for. We can provide 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.
What Properties Are Exempt From Requiring An EPC?
  • Places of worship.
  • 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 )
  • Listed buildings.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Are You Able To Let A Property Without An EPC?
    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 must 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 have to be at the least an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner will need to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to lift the rating. If an E rating cannot be attained, then an exemption can be applied for by visiting the Government website and applying for an exemption on the PRS register.

    Is There A Minimum EPC rating to Let A Property?
    The minimum EPC rating for rental is an ‘E’. The EPC rates a property from A, the best to G, the worst. Properties rated F or G, from April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy-efficient improvements will need to be made, or a valid exemption applied for.
    What Is Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
    A set penalty charge of £200 may be given for failure to comply in the following instances: on sale or rent the vendor or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the future buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can You Fail An EPC?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a certain rating before they choose to continue. One example might be a bank lending funds against a rental property, will require that 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 dwelling can be so as to rent out. Also, it is becoming the standard requested by banking institutions when lending funds against a home.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the funds when it is below an E, however there will probably be extra clauses in the contract.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It will have to be renewed Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, all rental properties will need to have a valid EPC of at least an E rating or over. 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?
    Yes, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and homes which are for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the inbound resident need to be provided with an EPC.
    Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
    All listed buildings are exempt from requiring an EPC. A listed building is one as being identified in the database of Historic England as a listed building. The list can be found 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 EPC. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Aside from the EPC the tenant will have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate and 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 proper legal advice so that all documents is given to the courts correctly.

    Can A Home Be Marketed Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be advertised without an EPC subject to one having been commissioned to be carried out within seven days. If after making all realistic attempts one cannot be obtained within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed to acquire 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 must be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    How Much Is An EPC?
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going straight to an accredited Assessor rather than through a 3rd party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    {Berkhamsted sometimes gets bad press.} However, we know it’s not really justified. It’s a great place to operate and live and are extremely pleased to be an EPC provider in the area.
    What Customers Are Saying

    Moving Home, Letting A Property, Local Estate Agents, We’re Here To Help

    Serving The Berkhamsted Area

    Contact

    EPCHOME WEBSITE

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    Call Us

    0800 0467 345