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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Harlow 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 Harlow 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 measures that can make a home more cost-effective to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy rating found on appliances, it will give the home a rating between an A (100) to a G (0). A typical 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 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 type of EPC is called a SAP EPC and is required by building control to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you have undertaken. Should you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re uncertain, just contact us for more advice.

How To Get One Done

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

The assessor will take dimensions of the property and also collect details about the present lighting, heating, glazing and existing insulation. An average size home will take between 20 and 30 minutes..

The obtained information then put into approved government software which creates the certificate. The EPC Certificate will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, if you need to have your EPC quickly, for a modest additional charge, we will 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 ten 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 Rating

Here we will give you some basic tips to ensure that your Energy Performance Certificate shows your property in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC rating

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The information entered into the software program is based on proof which the Assessor collects during the visit. In most cases your Assessor will get almost all of the information whilst going around the property.

What we want to prevent is the Assessor putting into the software the phrase “as built” for items that are required where no proof is obtained. If the term “as built” has to be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based on what would have been there when the property was built. This may have a negative impact on the {rating of the EPC}

If you can provide documentary proof of these kinds of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and will probably improve the rating of your EPC.

• Loft conversions 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 Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the contractor

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The three items that have the main impact 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 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 example a property heated by gas would cost you 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 property, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas when compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC 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 will make a difference, the most significant increase is actually really achieved when improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, this will only show as a modest increase in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is normally felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a decrease in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any specific item, this kind of comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

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

Harlow Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a property owner, make certain you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil penalties of up to £5,000 could be issued.

Have a look at our guidelines for quick information. We also offer reductions for multiple properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all existing rental properties must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Before that date an Energy Performance Certificate was only required on new rentals. Penalties and fees may be issued by the local authority for breach 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 properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. An energy rating of at least an E much be reached 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 would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out affordable methods to achieve 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 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 managed a register of all EPCs. The register is located at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to find out if your properties have a valid Certificate and determine that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available article in the Telegraph taken from information on the register discovered that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new rules. The article is available here. Make sure you are not among them. As time passes, we expect a lot more Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.

These regulations, however, are not intended to be onerous. The initial step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is lower than an E, to show that you are currently taking or have taken actions to reach 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 provide expect guidance 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 Dwellings Are Exempt From Needing 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.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Places of worship.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Are You Able To Let A Property Without An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental properties must have a valid EPC registered on the EPC register. To legally rent a property the energy rating of the EPC needs 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 average UK property is a D60 Rental properties have to be at least an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner would have to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to increase the rating. If an E rating can not be attained, then an exemption can be applied for by going to the Government website and applying for an exemption on the PRS register.

    Is There A Minimum EPC rating to Let A Property?
    Homes rented out in the private market will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum energy performance rating of ‘E’. It will be unlawful to rent out a dwelling which does not have a minimum E rating unless the property has an exemption.
    What Is Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
    A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following instances: on sale or rent the owner 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. Nonetheless, different 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a certain rating before they choose to continue. One example might be a financial institution loaning funds against a rental property, will 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 to be able to rent out. It is also getting to be the baseline requested by financial institutions when loaning funds against a home.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to obtain the funds when it is below an E, however there are more likely to be extra clauses 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 need to 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 for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the inbound resident has to be given 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. 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 provided the tenant with an Energy Performance Certficate. If the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    In addition to the Energy Performance Certificate 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 correct legal advice to ensure that all documentation is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can A Property Be Marketed Without Having An EPC?
    Yes a property may be advertised without having an EPC but only subject to one having actually been booked to be done within 7 days. If after making all realistic efforts one can not be obtained within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is permitted to obtain one.
    It Is A Legal Requirement For Renting, To Have An EPC?
    From April 2020, all properties 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 needs to be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    Do You Know The Cost Of An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The price of an Energy Performance Certificate is normally in the range of £50 – £120. This depends on size of property and location. Usually it will be cheaper if going straight to a licensed Assessor instead of via a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    There are lots of fascinating locations and things to see in Harlow and we aim to be the first port of call for an EPC in the area. It’s a fantastic place to live and work.
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    Serving The Harlow Area

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    0800 0467 345