Looking for the best EPC in Kettering
Set Cost EPC – Only £55
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We undertake EPCs in your area
epcHome is an EPC supplier doing EPCs in Kettering as well as the surrounding areas. As accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, we would be pleased to carry out your EPC whether it’s required for rental or for a house sale. The typical cost of an EPC in Kettering is Only £55
Steph Explains Below Just What Is An EPC.
If you’ve not moved home during the last ten years, or maybe you’ve actually been asked to produce an EPC report for rental then you can take a look at our information video clip that explains more about what an EPC is.
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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Why You Need One
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• 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 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 kind of EPC is called a SAP EPC and is necessary for building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent construction work you have undertaken. In case you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re uncertain, simply give us a call for more advice.
How To Get One Done
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The Assessor will take dimensions of the property plus gather information regarding the existing lighting, heating, glazing and existing insulation. It may take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the home..
The obtained information 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 require it urgently, for a small additional charge, we will arrange for you to get it the same day.
That’s it, its all completed. Your EPC is then valid for 10 years.
- Click the BOOK ONLINE button below
- Select an available date and time slot
- Give us your name and the address requiring the EPC
- Pay securely online
- 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.
Ways To Boost Your EPC Rating
Here we will offer you some basic tips so your EPC shows your property in the very best light.
These will enhance your EPC score
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The Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary information which is important for audit purposes. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software program. In cases like this the program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.
Whenever you can provide documentary evidence of any of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably increase the rating of your EPC Certificate.
• Any wall insulation Cavity/Internal/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the installer
• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – MCS certificate from contractor.
• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractor showing thickness installed.
• Loft extensions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architects drawings.
• Double glazing improvements to the majority of the property – Fensa certificate, or dated receipt from the installer.
These make the biggest difference
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• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.
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 instance a property or home heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property or home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £556 to heat with gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating score. Higher expenses 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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Although upgrades to the double glazing can make a difference, the most significant increase is only really achieved if you are upgrading from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally noticed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a decrease in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is not measured.
Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the EPC since they are an affordable improvement that leads to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.
Kettering Landlord EPC Services
The regulations for property owners are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, make sure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil fees and penalties as high as £5,000 could be issued.
Look at our guidelines for quick advice. We offer reduced prices for several properties.
EPCs And Rental Properties
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What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property
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If your property currently is an F or G it cannot legally be let on a new rental. Should there be an existing tenant in the property and the rating is lower than an E, then the landlord has got to take measures to get the rating up to an E.
How To Find If You Have A Valid EPC
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A recently available report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register discovered that around 250,000 landlords are yet to comply with the new regulations. The information is available here. Ensure you are not one of those. As time goes by, we expect an increasing number of local authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.
These regulations, 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 below an E, to show that you are currently taking or have taken actions to attain 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 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 Properties Do Not Need To Have An EPC?
Are You Able To Let A Property Without Having An EPC?
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 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 average UK property is a D60 Rental properties should be at the 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 cannot be achieved, 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 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 The Fine 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 seller or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the future buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
Can An EPC Fail?
Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, various 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specific score before they choose to continue. One example would be a financial institution 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. Also, it is getting to be the standard required by banking institutions when lending money against a home.
It’s not to say you won’t be able to obtain the money if it is below an E, although there will probably be added conditions in the agreement.
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 above. All EPCs are lodged on a national register at epcregister.com. The EPC is good for a further ten years.
Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
Indeed, 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 incoming occupant need to be given an EPC.
Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
All listed buildings 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 located at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
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 needs 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 proper legal advice to ensure all records is presented to the courts correctly.
Can A Property Be Marketed Without An EPC?
Yes a property can be advertised without having an EPC subject to one having been booked to be carried out within seven days. If after making all realistic attempts one cannot be acquired within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed to acquire one.
It Is A Legal Requirement For Renting, To Have An EPC?
From April 2020, all dwellings for rental need to have a valid EPC on the EPC register. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of a home 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 Does An Energy Performance Certficate Cost
The price of an EPC is usually in the range of £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Usually it is cheaper if going straight to a licensed Assessor as opposed to using a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
Love it or loath it Kettering happens to be an exciting place to live and work. Personally, we love it and are delighted to be one of the leading EPC service providers in the area