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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Chesham 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 Chesham 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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An EPC is a legal report that provides advice on energy saving actions that can make a property less expensive to run. EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy score seen on home appliances, it will give the home a score between an A (100) to a G (0). An average UK property is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

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The most frequent reason for requiring an Energy Performance Certificate is for anyone who is selling or renting a home. It is because, by law, you must give the incoming occupant a valid Energy Performance. These are some of the other reasons you may be required 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 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 kind of EPC is produced along with SAP calculations to demonstrate that building work has met certain standards required by the building regulations. If you’re unsure, simply contact us for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An EPC is carried out by a professional and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor must go to property to obtain the necessary information.

Your assessor will take dimensions of the home and also gather details about the current lighting, heating system, glazing and existing insulation. It may take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the home..

The obtained information then put into approved government software which produces the certificate. The Certificate is then lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. However, if you need to have your EPC quickly, for a modest 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 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 To Boost Your EPC Score

Here we will give you some simple guidelines to ensure that your EPC shows your property in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC score

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The data entered into the software program is based on proof which the Assessor collects during the visit. Typically your Assessor will get almost all of the information whilst going around the home.

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

Whenever you can provide documentary evidence of any of these sorts of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and will likely enhance the rating of your EPC Certificate.


• Any wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the contractor

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architectural plans.

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

These make the biggest difference

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

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

Main Source of Fuel
UK properties are generally heated by either of these kinds of fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property 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 £696 to heat by gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC score. Higher costs 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 will make a difference, the greatest increase is only really achieved when you are upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 double glazing, this would only show as a modest increase in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is generally sensed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this kind of comfort gain is not measured.

 

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

Chesham Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for property owners are forever increasing. For anyone who is a landlord, be sure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil fines of up to £5,000 can be given.

Check out our guidelines for quick advice. We offer reductions for multiple properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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As From April 2020, all current rental properties need to have a valid EPC. Prior to that date an Certificate was only necessary on new rentals. Fines may be issued by the local authority for infringement of this.

What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property

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An EPC rates the home from an A, the very best, to a G the lowest. To legally let a property, the energy rating need to be at the least an E. The regulations that regulate this is called The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard or (MEES) in short. For more information on MEES check out the government website for landlord guidance.

If your property currently is an F or G it cannot legally be let on a new rental. If there is an existing tenant in the property and the rating is lower than an E, then the landlord has to do something to get the rating up to an E.

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 ten years managed a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. The register is available at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your properties have a valid Certificate and see that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

A recently available post in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new regulations. The article is available here. Ensure you are not one of those. Over time, we anticipate a growing number of Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

These regulations, having said that, are not intended to be onerous. The initial step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be less than an E, to demonstrate you are taking or have taken actions to reach 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 provide expect guidance 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?
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Places of worship.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having An EPC?
    The simple answer is 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 must 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 landlord will have to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to increase the rating. If an E rating cannot be achieved, 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 scores the property from A, the highest to G, the lowest. Properties rated F or G, after April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy-efficient upgrades 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 may be given for failure to comply in the following circumstances: on sale or rent the seller 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. Nevertheless, various 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a certain score before they decide to continue. An example would be a financial institution lending 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 so as to rent out. Also, it is becoming the baseline required by banking institutions when lending 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 are more likely to be added clauses in the arrangement.

    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 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 will be valid for a further ten 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. Legally, the incoming occupant has to be provided with an EPC.
    Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
    All listed properties are exempt from requiring an EPC. A listed building is one as being described in the database of Historic England as a listed building. A list can be found 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 Energy Performance Certficate. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks has 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 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 correct legal advice to ensure all paperwork is presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Home Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be marketed without having an EPC subject to one having actually been requested to be done within 7 days. If after making all reasonable efforts one cannot be done within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed to get 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 home from A-G. For rental, the EPC must be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    Just How Much Will An Energy Performance Certficate Cost
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Usually it is cheaper if going straight to an accredited Assessor as opposed to using a 3rd party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
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