Need an EPC in East Acton?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

EPC

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the East Acton 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 East Acton 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 recommendations on energy saving actions that can make a home inexpensive to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy rating seen on home appliances, it will give the property a rating 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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{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 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 sort of EPC is produced in addition to SAP calculations to demonstrate that building work has met specific 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 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 certification scheme.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home as well as obtain specifics of the current lighting, heating system, glazing and existing insulation. It may take between 20 and 40 minutes, dependant upon the complexity of the property..

The information is then put into approved government software which creates 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. In the event you require it quickly, for a small additional charge, we will arrange for you to get it the same day.

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 You Can Enhance Your EPC Rating

Here we will offer you some basic tips to ensure that your EPC reflects your home in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will improve your EPC rating

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

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

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

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

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

• Any wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– {guarantee, or receipt from installer.}

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

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness installed.

These make the biggest difference

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The three items that have the biggest 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 homes are typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same property which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi which uses 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 Energy Performance rating rating. Higher costs equals 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 upgrades to the double glazing can make a difference, the most significant increase is actually really achieved if you are improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this will only show as a modest improvement in the energy rating of the property. With upvc double glazing the perception is generally noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any specific object, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the EPC since they are an affordable improvement that makes a contribution to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

East Acton Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, ensure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil fines of up to £5,000 can be given.

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

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all existing rented properties need to have a valid EPC. Prior to that date an EPC 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 supply rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties need to be at least an energy rating of an E. 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 needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost-effective solutions to attain the standards.

In the event the landlord has invested up to £3500 and the property still doesn’t achieve an E, then the landlord can apply for an exemption. We’re happy to offer assistance 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 ten years managed a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. This register is found at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your rentals 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 information is available here. Ensure you are not one of those. Over time, we anticipate a lot more local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

These regulations, having said that, are not meant to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be below an E, to demonstrate that you are taking or have taken actions to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t reach an E, there are specific exemptions that you might then be able to apply for. We can give you expect recommendations 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.
Which Properties Do Not Require An EPC?
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Places of worship.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Listed buildings.
  • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having 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 has to 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 should be a minimum of an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner will have to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to raise 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?
    Dwellings 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 The Fine For Not Having An EPC?
    A set 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 would-be buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can An EPC Fail?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, different 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specific rating before they choose to continue. An example would be a bank lending money against a rental property, would 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 to be able to rent out. It is also becoming the standard 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, but there are more likely to be additional conditions in the arrangement.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It would simply 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 higher. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC will be good 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. By law, the inbound resident need to be provided with an EPC.
    Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
    All listed properties are exempt from needing an EPC. A listed building is one as being described 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 with a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not provided the tenant with an Energy Performance Certficate. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks has to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    In addition to the EPC the tenant would 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 all documentation is given to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Home Without Having An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without having an EPC but only subject to one having actually been planned to be carried out within 7 days. If after making all reasonable attempts one cannot be obtained within that period, 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 property from A-G. For rental, the EPC has to be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    What Is The Price Of An EPC?
    The price of an EPC is generally in the range of £50 – £120. This is determined by size of property and location. Usually it will be cheaper if going directly to a certified Assessor instead of via a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We’ve been providing EPCs in East Acton for more than 6 years and are delighted to be keeping prices down in the area. This has really helped us to become one of the main suppliers in the locality.
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    Serving The East Acton Area

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    0800 0467 345