Duston Energy Performance Certificates

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We undertake EPCs in your area

Our company is a team of local Surveyors, that undertake EPCs in Duston and nearby surrounding areas. If you’re renting or selling a property, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). Our usual charge to do an EPC in Duston is just £55 inclusive.

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Steph Explains Below What Is An EPC.

Many people are uncertain of what an EPC is before they call us. The explainer video below may help. Or you can always read the brief explanation.

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: Banbury, Horley, Broughton

What is An EPC?

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

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 the above illustrations refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked by building control to produce an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they are looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This type of EPC is known as SAP EPC and is needed by building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent construction work you might have undertaken. If you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not sure, just contact us for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor has to undertake a visit to the home to obtain the necessary information for the Energy Performance Certificate. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home as well as obtain information regarding the current lighting, home heating, glazing and current insulation. An average size home normally takes between 20 and 30 minutes..

The information is then put into approved government software which produces the EPC. The EPC Certificate will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. In the event you need it urgently, for a small additional cost, we are able to arrange for you to get it the same day.

That’s it, its all done. Your EPC is then valid for 10 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
  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

Ways To Boost Your EPC Rating

Here we will offer you some basic guidelines so your Energy Performance Certificate reflects your property in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC rating

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Typically your Assessor will be able to obtain a lot of the information they need by just going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor will take photographic or obtain documentary information that is necessary for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software. In this instance the software will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

Whenever you can provide documentary proof of these types of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the EPC and will likely improve the rating of your EPC.


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

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

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

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The three items that have the main 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 instance a home heated by gas would cost you 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 around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £556 to heat with gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC rating. Higher costs equals 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 upgrades to the double glazing will make a difference, the most significant increase is actually really achieved if you are upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this would only show as a small improvement in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular object, this kind of comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does help the EPC since they are an inexpensive improvement that contributes to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Duston Landlord EPC Services

The regulations 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 up to £5,000 can be issued.

Look at our guidelines for quick information. We also provide reductions for multiple properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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As From April 2020, all existing rented properties must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Before that date an Certificate was only required on new rentals. Fines can be issued by the local authority for infringement 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 attained on all rented properties If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord must take steps to get to the minimum.

This is when the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost-effective ways to attain the standards.

When the landlord has expended 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 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 last 10 years kept a register of all EPCs. This register is located at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your properties have a valid EPC and determine that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found out that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new regulations. This article can be found here. Make sure you are not one of those. As time passes, we anticipate an increasing number of Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.

The policies, however, are not meant to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is below an E, to demonstrate you are taking or have taken actions to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t reach an E, there are certain exemptions that you might 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.
What Dwellings Are Exempt From Requiring An EPC?
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Places of worship.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Listed buildings.
    • Can You Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    No. From April 2020 all rental properties 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 most efficient) to G 0 ( the least efficient). The rating of an average UK property is a D60 Rental properties must 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 increase the rating. If an E rating cannot be reached, then an exemption can be applied for by going to 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 the property from A, the best to G, the worst. Dwellings rated F or G, after April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy-efficient improvements will have 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 issued 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 future buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can An EPC Fail?
    Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, various 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specified rating before they choose to continue. One example might be a bank loaning money against a rental property, might require that the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The Energy Performance Certificate 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 required by banking institutions when loaning money against a home.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to borrow the money if it is below an E, although there are more likely to be extra conditions 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 must 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 valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, an Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties which are being sold 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 identified in the database of Historic England as a listed building. This 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 given the tenant an EPC. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Aside from the Energy Performance Certificate 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 correct legal advice so that all paperwork is given to the courts correctly.

    Can A Home Be Marketed Without An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without having an EPC subject to one having actually been requested to be carried out within 7 days. If after making all realistic efforts one cannot be obtained within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed to get one.
    Is It A Legal Requirement For An EPC When Renting?
    From April 2020, all dwellings for rental must 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.
    How Much Is An Energy Performance Certificate?
    An Energy Performance Certificate typically costs between £50 – £120. This will depend on the size of property and location. Usually it is cheaper if going straight to a licensed Assessor instead of through a 3rd party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
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