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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Lambeth 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 Lambeth 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.

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 home less costly to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy score seen on home appliances, it will give the home a score between an A (100) to a G (0). A typical UK home 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 will be looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This particular EPC is known as SAP EPC and is needed by building control to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for any recent construction work you might have undertaken. If you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not sure, simply contact us for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An Assessor has to undertake a visit to the property to get the necessary data for the EPC. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government certification scheme.

The Assessor will take dimensions of the property plus obtain information regarding the present lighting, home heating, glazing and current insulation. An average size home takes between 20 and 30 minutesto do..

The information is then entered into approved government software which then generates the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, should you need to have your EPC urgently, for a modest additional charge, we can 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 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.

How To Enhance Your EPC Score

Here we will give you some simple tips so your EPC reflects your home in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC score

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The data entered into the software is based on proof that the Assessor collects during the visit. Typically your Assessor will get the majority 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 which are required where no proof is gathered. When the term “as built” has to be used then the software program will default to the worst case scenario based upon 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 sorts of improvements then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably enhance the rating of your EPC.

• Roof extensions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architectural plans.

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

• Any type of wall insulation Cavity/Internal/External– {guarantee, or receipt from installer.}

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains items that have the main 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 generally heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a house heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same house which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £596 to heat with gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the Energy Performance rating score. 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 improvements to the double glazing does make a difference, the greatest difference is actually really achieved when you are improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this will only show as a modest increase in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is generally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any particular object, this kind of comfort gain is not measured.

 

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

Lambeth Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, be sure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalties up to £5,000 could be issued.

Take a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We offer reduced prices for several 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 EPC. Prior to that date an Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Penalties can be issued by the local authority for violation of this.

What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property

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An EPC rates the property from an A, the highest, to a G the lowest. To legally rent a property, the energy rating needs to be at the least an E. The policies that control this is known as The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard or (MEES) for short. For additional information on MEES visit the government website for landlord guidance.

If your property currently is an F or G it cannot legally be let on a new rental. If there is an existing tenant in the property and the rating is lower than an E, then the landlord has to take measures to get the rating up to an E.

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 ten years maintained a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. The register is found at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your rentals have a valid Certificate and determine that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register discovered that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new rules. The information can be found here. Ensure you are not one of those. As time passes, we anticipate a growing number of Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

These rules, having said that, are not meant to be onerous. The initial step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is below an E, to show that you are 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 guidance 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 Are Exempt From Needing An EPC?
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Places of worship.
  • 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 must have a valid EPC recorded 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 need to be at least an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner will need to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to raise the rating. If an E rating can not 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 the property from A, the best to G, the lowest. Properties rated F or G, from April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy Efficient improvements 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 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 prospective 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 achieve a specific score before they decide to continue. An example might be a financial institution lending money against a rental property, will 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 property can be in order to rent out. It is also getting to be the baseline required by banks when lending money against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the money when it is below an E, but there will probably be extra clauses in the contract.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It will simply have to be renewed. Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, all rental properties will 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 resident must be provided with 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 described 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 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 EPC. 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 will 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 that all paperwork is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can You Market A Home Without An EPC?
    Yes a property can be advertised without having an EPC but only subject to one having been planned to be carried out within 7 days. If after making all realistic attempts one can not be obtained within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is permitted to get one.
    Is It A Legal Requirement For An EPC When Renting?
    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 needs to be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    How Much Is An EPC?
    The price of an EPC is usually in the range of £50 – £120. This is determined by size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to an approved Assessor as opposed to using a third party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We’d want to thanks customers present and past in Lambeth for using us to be there provider. It’s a terrific place to live and work.
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    Serving The Lambeth Area

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    0800 0467 345