Need an EPC in Kidlington?

Fixed Price EPC – only £59

EPC

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Kidlington 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 Kidlington is £59.

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: Oxford, Cold Harbour, Forest Hill, Broughton, Westbury, Banbury, Upton, Stone, Horley, Aylesbury

What is An EPC?

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An EPC is a legal report that provides recommendations on energy saving actions that can make a property less expensive to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very 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 property 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 the above examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked 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 produced along with SAP calculations to show that building work has met certain standards required by the building regulations. 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 done by a qualified and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor must go to property to get the necessary information.

Your assessor will take dimensions of the home and also obtain specifics of the present lighting, heating system, glazing and existing insulation. It may take anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the home..

The information is then input approved government software which produces the EPC. The EPC Certificate is then lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. Should you require it urgently, for a small additional cost, we are able to arrange for you to get it the same day.

That’s it, its all doneYour 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 You Can Boost Your EPC Rating

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

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC rating

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Typically your Assessor should be able to obtain the vast majority of information they need by simply going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

What we want to prevent is the Assessor putting into the software program the phrase “as built” for items which are needed where no evidence is obtained. When the term “as built” needs to be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based upon what would have been there when the property was constructed. This could have a negative effect on the {rating of the EPC}

If you can provide documentary evidence of any of these kinds of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and is likely to enhance the rating of your EPC Certificate.


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

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

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

• Roof conversions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

These make the biggest difference

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The three things that have the biggest effect on the energy rating are:

• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.

Main Source of Fuel
UK homes are generally heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a property or home heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property or home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £596 to heat by gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher costs equates to 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 does make a difference, the greatest increase is only really achieved when 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 improvement in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular object, this kind of comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

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

Kidlington Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a landlord, make certain you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil fines up to £5,000 may 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 need to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Prior to that date an Energy Performance Certificate was only required on new rentals. Fines 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 supply rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. An energy rating of no less than an E much be attained 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 where the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out affordable methods to attain the standards.

When 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 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 maintained a register of all EPCs. This register is found at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to see if your properties have a valid EPC and determine that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

A recent report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new rules. The article can be found here. Ensure you are not among them. Over time, we anticipate a growing number of Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.

The policies, however, 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 you are taking or have taken steps to reach an E. Even if it doesn’t reach an E, there are certain exemptions that you may then be able to apply for. We can give you expect advice 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.
Which Properties Are Exempt From Requiring An EPC?
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Places of worship.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental homes 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 most efficient) to G 0 ( the least efficient). The average 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 will have to undertake 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 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 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 The Fine 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 future buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can You Fail An EPC?
    Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, various 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a certain rating before they decide to continue. One example might 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 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 standard required by financial institutions when lending money against a property.

    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 clauses in the arrangement.

    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 is good for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Yes, an Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties and homes which are for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the inbound resident must be given 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 identified 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 started or was renewed after 1 October 2015, a landlord cannot evict using a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not given the tenant an EPC. If an EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    As well as the Energy Performance Certificate 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 proper legal advice so that all records is presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Property Without Having An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without an EPC subject to one having been requested to be done within 7 days. If after making all reasonable attempts one cannot be acquired within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to acquire 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 Does An EPC Cost
    An Energy Performance Certificate typically costs between £50 – £120. This depends on size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to an accredited Assessor as opposed to using a 3rd party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    Like it or loath it Kidlington is definitely an appealing place to live and work. Personally, we love it and are happy to be one of the leading EPC services in the area
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    Moving Home, Letting A Property, Local Estate Agents, We’re Here To Help

    Serving The Kidlington Area

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    Call Us

    0800 0467 345