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We Are EPC Assessors covering your area

epcHome is an EPC service provider doing EPCs in Chelmsford and also the surrounding areas. As accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, we will be pleased to undertake your EPC whether it’s required for rental or for a property sale. Our typical price to undertake an EPC in Chelmsford is just £55 inclusive.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

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 clip 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.
We also cover these nearby areas: Springfield, Great Baddow

What is An EPC?

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EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a 3 to 5 page report which rates the property from an A the best to G the lowest. It will provide advice on energy improvements which might be made on the home that could help to lower 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 examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been requested 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 known as SAP EPC and is required by building control to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you might have undertaken. In case you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re uncertain, simply give us a call for more advice.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor must undertake a visit to the home to get the required information for the EPC. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government certification scheme.

Your assessor will take dimensions of the home and also obtain information about the current lighting, heating, glazing and current insulation. A normal size home will take between 20 and 30 minutesto do..

The information is then entered into approved government software which generates 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. However, should you need to have your EPC urgently, for a small additional charge, 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 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 To Enhance Your EPC Rating

Here we will give you some easy tips so your EPC reflects your home in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC score

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The data put into the software program is based on evidence that the Assessor collects during the visit. In most cases the Assessor can get almost all of the information whilst going around the home.

What we should avoid is the Assessor putting into the software program the term “as built” for items that are needed where no evidence is gathered. If the term “as built” has to be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based on what would have been there when the property was constructed. EPC score.

If you can supply documentary proof of any of these sorts of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC.

• 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 installers.

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

• Solar PV or Solar Thermal – MCS certificate from contractor.

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from installer showing thickness installed.

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 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 which uses 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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Double glazing
Although improvements to the double glazing can make a difference, the biggest difference is only really achieved when improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is typically felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any particular item, this kind of comfort gain is just not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does 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.

Chelmsford Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. For anyone who is a landlord, make certain you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil penalties as much as £5,000 can be issued.

Take a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We offer discounts for several properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all existing rental properties need to have a valid EPC. Prior to that date an EPC was only necessary on new rentals. Penalties and fees can 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 provide rented properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. An energy rating of at least an E much be reached on all rented properties If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord will need to take steps to reach the minimum.

This is where the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost-effective ways 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 provide 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 should check here to see if your rentals have a valid EPC and determine that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

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. Over time, we anticipate 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 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 give you 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?
  • Places of worship.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Listed buildings.
    • Can You Let A Property Without An EPC?
    No. From April 2020 all rental properties need to 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 need 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?
    Homes rented out in the private market will be required to possess an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum energy performance rating of ‘E’. It will be illegal to rent out a dwelling 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 issued 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?
    Simply 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. One example would be a bank loaning funds 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 funds against a home.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to obtain the money when it is below an E, although there are more likely to be extra conditions in the agreement.

    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 above. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC is 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. Legally, 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 on the historic england website.
    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 can 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 done within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to obtain one.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement When Renting?
    From April 2020, all properties 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 straight to an accredited Assessor instead of using a 3rd party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We love Chelmsford and we are pleased to be among the best EPC companies in the region. {Get in touch.}
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