EPC Golders Green

by | May 10, 2020

Need an EPC in Golders Green?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Golders Green 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 Golders Green is £69.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

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: Childs Hill, Colindale, Willesden, East Acton, Soho, Kensington and Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Borehamwood, Hackney

What is An EPC?

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An EPC is a legal report that gives recommendations on energy saving measures that can make a property less expensive to run. EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy rating seen on electrical 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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The most frequent reason for requiring an EPC is If you are selling or renting a property. This is because, by law, you must give the incoming resident a valid Energy Performance. These are some of the other reasons you might 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 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 are looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This sort of EPC is called a SAP EPC and is required by building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent construction work you have undertaken. Should you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re unsure, just phone us for further advice.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor has to undertake a visit to the property to get the required data for the EPC. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

The assessor will take dimensions of the property as well as gather details about the existing lighting, heating system, glazing and current insulation. A normal size home will take between 20 and 30 minutes..

The information is then entered into approved government software which generates the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will then 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 quickly, for a modest additional charge, we will provide an EPC for you the same day day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

That’s it, its all done. 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

Tips On How To Improve Your EPC Rating

Here we will provide you with some simple guidelines so that your EPC reflects your home in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will enhance your EPC rating

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Typically your Assessor can get the vast majority of information they need by just going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

The Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary information which is needed for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software. In this situation the program will use what the property would have been built with based upon it’s age.

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


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

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

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

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

• Loft conversions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains items that have the biggest impact on the energy rating are:


• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in 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 somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi using around 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC rating. 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 most significant difference is only really achieved when improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply upgrading 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 normally experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular object, this comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

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

Golders Green Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, make certain you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalty charges up to £5,000 can be issued.

Have a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We offer reduced prices for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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As From April 2020, all current rented properties should have a valid EPC. Before that date an Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Fines 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 offer rented properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties must be a minimum of an energy rating of an E. If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord will need to take steps to attain the minimum.

This is where the landlord must work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost-effective solutions to achieve the standards.

In the event 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 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 last 10 years managed a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. The register is located at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to find out if your properties have a valid Certificate and see that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available report 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 can be found here. Make sure you are not one of those. As time passes, we expect an increasing number of Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.

The rules, 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 lower than an E, to show that you are taking or have taken actions to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t attain 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.
What Dwellings Are Exempt From Needing An EPC?
  • 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.
  • Places of worship.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
    • Can You Let A Property Without An EPC?
    The answer is 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 must 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 average UK property is a D60 Rental properties should be at least an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner 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.

    Is There A Minimum EPC rating to Let A Property?
    Dwellings rented out in the private sector will be required to possess an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum energy performance rating of ‘E’. It will be unlawful to rent out a property which does not have a minimum E rating unless the property has an exemption.
    What Is Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
    A set penalty charge of £200 may be issued for failure to comply in the following instances: 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. Having said that, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specified rating before they choose to proceed. One example might be a financial institution lending money against a rental property, might require 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 property can be for you to rent out. Also, it is becoming the baseline requested by financial institutions when lending money against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the money if it is below an E, however there will probably be additional conditions in the contract.

    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 will 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?
    Indeed, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties that are being sold 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 requiring an EPC. A listed building is one as being described in the database of Historic England as a listed building. This 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 period of 8 weeks has to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Besides the EPC the tenant will have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate and also 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 Property Without An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without an EPC subject to one having been planned to be done within seven days. If after making all realistic efforts one cannot be done within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is permitted to obtain 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 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 depends upon size of property and location. Typically it will be cheaper if going straight to an accredited Assessor as opposed to via a 3rd party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    What’s terrific about Golders Green. A lot of exciting things beyond EPCs.
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    Serving The Golders Green Area

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