EPC Hertford

by | May 10, 2020

Need an EPC in Hertford?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Hertford 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 Hertford 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: Ware, Hoddesdon, West End, Eastend, Hatfield, Cheshunt, Harlow, Bromley, Stevenage, Loughton

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 home less costly to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy rating found on electrical home appliances, it will give the property 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 illustrations refer to existing residential properties. If you have been requested by building control to provide 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 demonstrate compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you might have undertaken. If you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not certain, just give us a call for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An EPC is carried out by a qualified and accredited domestic energy assessor. The Assessor has to go to property to obtain the necessary information.

The assessor will take dimensions of the home plus obtain information regarding the existing lighting, heating, glazing and present insulation. It may take anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, depending upon the complexity of the property..

The details are then entered into approved government software which then produces the EPC. The EPC will be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in a couple of days. Should you need it quickly, for a small additional charge, we will 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 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

How You Can Improve Your EPC Score

Here we will offer you some basic tips so your EPC reflects your home in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC rating

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The data entered into the software is based on evidence which the Assessor collects during the visit. In most cases your Assessor can get the majority of the information whilst going around the home.

The Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary evidence that is important for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software program. In this instance the software program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

Whenever you can supply documentary evidence of any of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will likely help the rating of your EPC.


• 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 receipts from the contractor.

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

These make the biggest difference

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The three items that have the main effect 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 fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a home heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar home 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 property, it would cost £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the Energy Performance rating 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 only really achieved when you are improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this would only show as a small improvement in the energy rating of the property. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific object, this kind of comfort gain is just not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does indeed help the EPC because they are a low cost improvement that leads to lower energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Hertford Landlord EPC Services

The rules for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a landlord, ensure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil fees and penalties up to £5,000 could be given.

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

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all current rented properties need to have a valid EPC. Previous to that date an Energy Performance Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Fines 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 offer rented properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties need 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 where the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine cost effective methods 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 give 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 Energy Performance Certificates. This register is located at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to find out if your properties have a valid EPC and determine that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available post in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found out that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new rules. This article can be found here. Ensure you are not one of them. Over time, we anticipate an increasing number of local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The rules, nevertheless, are not meant 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 demonstrate that you are currently taking or have taken actions to reach an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are certain exemptions that you could then be able to apply for. We can give you 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 Properties Are Exempt From Needing An EPC?
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Places of worship.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • 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 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 best) to G 0 ( the least efficient). The rating of an typical UK property is a D60 Rental properties have to be at the least an E rating. If it is not an E then the landlord would have to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to improve the rating. If an E rating can not be achieved, then an exemption can be applied for by visiting 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 a property from A, the best to G, the lowest. Properties 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 may be given 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 would-be buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can An EPC Fail?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, various 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specified rating before they choose to proceed. An example might be a financial institution loaning funds against a rental property, might require the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The EPC will rate the 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. It is also getting to be the baseline requested by financial institutions when loaning funds against a home.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the funds when it is below an E, although there are more likely to be extra clauses in the arrangement.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It will simply need 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 above. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC is valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties which are being sold as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the inbound resident has 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 defined 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 commenced 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 Energy Performance Certficate. If an EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Aside from the EPC the tenant would 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 to ensure that all paperwork is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can A Home Be Marketed Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be marketed without having an EPC but only subject to one having actually been planned to be done within 7 days. If after making all realistic attempts one can not be done within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed 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 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.
    How Much Will An Energy Performance Certficate Cost
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This is determined by size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to an accredited Assessor rather than using a 3rd party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    With well over 12,000 EPCs carried out within the last 6 years in Hertford, we are thrilled to a part of this lively community.
    What Customers Are Saying

    Moving Home, Letting A Property, Local Estate Agents, We’re Here To Help

    Serving The Hertford Area

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    Call Free 0800-046-7345
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