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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Hackney 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 Hackney 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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EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a three to five page document which rates the property from an A the highest to G the worst. It will give advice on energy improvements which can be made in the home that might help to reduce 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 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 will be looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This kind of EPC is produced in addition to SAP calculations to show that building work has met specified standards required by the building regulations. If you’re not sure, just give us a call for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the property plus collect specifics of the present lighting, heating system, glazing and existing insulation. It may take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending upon the complexity of the home..

The obtained information then input approved government software which creates the certificate. The EPC Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you will 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.

Tips On How To Enhance Your EPC Score

Here we will offer you some simple guidelines so that your EPC shows your property in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC rating

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In most cases your Assessor can obtain almost all of the information they require simply by going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

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

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


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

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

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

• Roof extensions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architectural drawings.

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains items that have the most significant 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 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 house heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar house which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas as compared to £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
This one may come as a bit of a surprise, but double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not nearly as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as mentioned above. Where it does have a greater impact, is when the house is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is usually noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Unfortunately the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the Energy Performance Certificate since they are an inexpensive improvement that leads to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.

Hackney Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a landlord, ensure that 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 information. We also offer reduced prices for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all current rental properties need to have a valid EPC. Previous to that date an Energy Performance Certificate was only necessary on new rentals. Penalties and fees 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. All rented properties have to be not less than an energy rating of an E. If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord will need to take steps to get to the minimum.

This is when the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine cost effective ways to achieve the standards.

If the landlord has spent up to £3500 and the property still doesn’t achieve an E, then the landlord can apply for an exemption. We’re happy to give 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 last 10 years managed a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. This 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 minimum E rating.

A recent report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found out that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new rules. The information can be found here. Make sure you are not one of those. As time goes by, we anticipate more and more local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The policies, nevertheless, are not meant 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 show you are taking or have taken steps to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t achieve an E, there are specific exemptions that you could 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.
What Properties Do Not Require An EPC?
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Places of worship.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Listed buildings.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having 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 average UK property is a D60. Rental properties have to be at least an E rating. If it is not an E then the landlord will need to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to increase the rating. If an E rating cannot be attained, 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 scores the property from A, the highest to G, the worst. Dwellings 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 Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
    A set penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following circumstances: on sale or rent the owner or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the future buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can You Fail An EPC?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nonetheless, different 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specified rating before they decide to proceed. One example would be a bank lending funds against a rental property, will 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 dwelling can be to be able to rent out. Also, it is becoming the standard requested by banking institutions when lending funds against a home.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the funds 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 would simply 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 above. 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?
    Yes, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties that are for sale as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the inbound occupant must 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 began or was renewed after 1 October 2015, a landlord cannot evict using a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not provided the tenant with an EPC. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks has 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 presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Property 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 7 days. If after making all reasonable efforts one cannot be acquired within that period, then a further 21 days is allowed to get one.
    It Is A Legal Requirement For Renting, To Have An EPC?
    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.
    How Much Will An EPC Cost
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This will depend on the size of property and location. Usually it will be cheaper if going straight to a licensed Assessor as opposed to using a 3rd party such as an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
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