EPC Loughton

by | May 10, 2020

Need an EPC in Loughton?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

Call Free (0800) 0467 345
EPC

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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Loughton 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 Loughton 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: Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Cheshunt, Barking and Dagenham, Hoddesdon, Harlow, Eastend, Barking, Stratford

What is An EPC?

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An EPC is a legal report that gives advice on energy saving measures that can easily make a home less costly to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Much the same as the energy rating found on home appliances, it will give the home a rating 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 examples 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 particular EPC is called a SAP EPC and is needed by building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you have undertaken. Should you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not sure, just contact us for more guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An EPC is done by a qualified and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor has to go to property to obtain the required information.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home as well as obtain specifics of the current lighting, home heating, glazing and present insulation. It may take anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the home..

The information is then entered into approved government software which generates the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, should you need your EPC quickly, for a small 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 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 Rating

Here we will provide you with some simple guidelines to ensure that your EPC shows your property in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC rating

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The information put into the software program is based on proof which the Assessor collects during the visit. In most cases the Assessor can get most of the information whilst going around the home.

What we want to avoid is the Assessor putting into the software program the term “as built” for items which are required where no proof is gathered. When the term “as built” must be used then the program will default to the worst case scenario based upon what would have been there when the property was built. EPC rating.

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


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

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractor showing thickness installed.

• Roof conversions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural drawings.

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains items 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 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 heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property 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 home, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects 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 improvements to the double glazing will make a difference, the most significant difference is actually really achieved when upgrading from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, this would only show as a small improvement in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is generally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. As 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 Energy Performance Certificate because they are an affordable improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Loughton Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anyone who is a landlord, ensure that you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil fines as much as £5,000 could be issued.

Check out our guidelines for quick information. We also provide discounts for a number of 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 EPC. Before that date an EPC was only necessary 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 provide rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. An energy rating of no less than 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 reach the minimum.

This is where the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to work out cost effective solutions to achieve the standards.

If 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 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 available at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your properties have a valid Certificate 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 landlords are yet to conform to the new rules. This article is available here. Ensure you are not one of those. As time passes, we anticipate a growing number of Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.

These regulations, however, are not meant to be onerous. The initial step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is less than an E, to show that you are taking or have taken steps to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t achieve an E, there are certain exemptions that you may then be able to apply for. We can provide 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 Do Not Require An EPC?
  • Places of worship.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Listed buildings.
    • Are You Able To Let A Property Without An EPC?
    No. From April 2020 all rental homes must have a valid EPC registered 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). An average UK property is a D60. Rental properties must be a minimum of an E rating. If it is not an E then the landlord would 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.

    What Is The Minimum EPC Rating To Let A Property?
    Properties 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 illegal 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 situations: on sale or rent the owner 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?
    Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. However, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specific rating before they decide to continue. An example would be a bank loaning funds against a rental property, would require that 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 in order to rent out. Also, it is getting to be the standard required by banks when loaning funds against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the funds if it is below an E, although there will probably be extra conditions 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 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 good for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Yes, an EPC 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 need to be provided with 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 defined in the database of Historic England as a listed building. A 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 using a section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not given the tenant 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 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 so that all records is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can A Property Be Marketed Without Having An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without an EPC but only subject to one having actually been commissioned to be done within 7 days. If after making all realistic attempts one cannot be acquired within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to acquire one.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement When Renting?
    Since April 2020, all properties for rental will 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 must be a minimum rating of an E, unless a valid exemption has been applied for.
    What Is The Cost Of An EPC?
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This will depend on the size of property and location. Usually it is cheaper if going directly to a licensed Assessor instead of through a third party such as an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    Like it or loath it Loughton is definitely an exciting place to live and work. Personally, we love it and are delighted to be one of the leading EPC suppliers in the area
    What Customers Are Saying

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

    Serving The Loughton Area

    CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE
    Call Free 0800-046-7345
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    0800 0467 345

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