Low Priced EPC Provider For Chelmsford
Simple Fixed Price EPC – Only £55
our services
We Are an EPC Service covering your area
Our company is a team of local Surveyors, who undertake EPCs in Chelmsford and nearby surrounding areas. As accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, we will be pleased to undertake your EPC whether it’s required for rental or perhaps for a property sale. Our typical price to undertake an EPC in Chelmsford is just £55 inclusive.
Steph Explains Below What Is An EPC.
If you’ve not moved home in the last 10 years, or perhaps you’ve been asked to produce an EPC report for rental then you can take a look at our information video that describes 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.
What is An EPC?
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Why You Need One
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• 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 the above examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked by building control to produce an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they will be looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This type of EPC is produced in addition to SAP calculations to show that building work has met certain standards required by the building regulations. If you’re unsure, just give us a call for more advice.
How To Get One Done
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The assessor will take dimensions of the property and also obtain information about the current lighting, heating, glazing and present insulation. A normal size home will take between 20 and 30 minutesto do..
The information is then entered into approved government software which creates the EPC. The EPC Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. In the event you need it urgently, for a small additional charge, we will arrange for you to get it the same day.
That’s it, its all completed. Your EPC is then valid for ten years
- Click the BOOK ONLINE button below
- Select an available date and time slot
- Give us your name and the address requiring the EPC
- Pay securely online
- 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 To Enhance Your EPC Rating
Here we will give you some simple tips so your EPC reflects your home in the best light.
These things will improve your EPC score
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The Assessor will take photographic or obtain documentary information that is needed for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” into the software program. In cases like this the software will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.
If you can supply documentary proof of any of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC Certificate.
• Any type of wall insulation External/Cavity/Internal– Any guarantees, or invoice from the contractor
• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – MCS certificate from contractor.
• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from installer showing thickness installed.
• Loft extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural drawings.
• Double glazing improvements to the majority of the property – Certificate from Fensa, or dated receipt from the installers.
These make the biggest difference
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• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating 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 property or home heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same property or home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat by gas when compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the Energy Performance rating score. Higher expenses equates to lower scores.
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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Although improvements to the double glazing can make a difference, the greatest difference is only really achieved when improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 double glazing, this will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is typically felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is just not measured.
Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the Energy Performance Certificate because they are an inexpensive improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.
Chelmsford Landlord EPC Services
The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a landlord, make certain you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil fines of up to £5,000 can be given.
Take a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We offer reductions for several properties.
EPCs And Rental Properties
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What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property
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This is where the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost-effective solutions to attain 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 provide advice all the way.
How To Find If You Have A Valid EPC
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A recently available article in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 investors are yet to conform to the new regulations. The information is available here. Ensure you are not one of them. As time passes, we expect a lot more local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.
These regulations, having said that, are not intended to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is lower than an E, to show that you are currently taking or have taken actions to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t achieve an E, there are specific exemptions that you might then be able to apply for. We can provide expect advice on every aspect 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?
Can You Let A Property Without An EPC?
The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental properties must have a valid EPC recorded 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 most efficient) to G 0 ( the least efficient). An average UK property is a D60. Rental properties need to be at 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 improve 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?
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 have to be made, or a valid exemption applied for.
What Is The Fine For Not Having An EPC?
A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be given for failure to comply in the following circumstances: on sale or rent the vendor or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
Can You Fail An EPC?
No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a certain score before they decide to proceed. An example would be a bank loaning money against a rental property, would require the EPC is at least an “E”.
What Does EPC E Mean?
The EPC will rate the property either A,B,C,D,E,F, or G. An E rating is the legal minimum a dwelling can be to be able to rent out. It is also becoming the baseline requested by banks when loaning money against a home.
It’s not to say you won’t be able to borrow the money when it is below an E, although there will probably be extra clauses in the contract.
What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
It will simply need 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 over. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC will be good for a further 10 years.
Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
Yes, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties which are for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the inbound occupant need to be given an EPC.
Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
All listed buildings are exempt from needing an EPC. A listed building is one as being defined in the database of Historic England as a listed building. The list is available at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
Can You Evict A Tenant Without An EPC?
If the tenancy commenced or was renewed after 1 October 2015, a landlord cannot evict with a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not given the tenant an EPC. If an EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.
Along with the EPC the tenant will have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate in addition to 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 to ensure that all records is given to the courts correctly.
Can A Property Be Marketed Without An EPC?
Yes a property may be marketed without an EPC but only subject to one having actually been booked to be carried out within seven days. If after making all reasonable attempts one can not be acquired within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to get one.
Is An EPC A Legal Requirement When Renting?
From 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 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?
An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This depends on size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to an accredited Assessor instead of using a 3rd party such as an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
Like it or loath it Chelmsford is surely an interesting place to reside and work. Personally, we love it and are happy to be one of the leading EPC service providers in the area