EPC Oxford

by | May 10, 2020

Need an EPC in Oxford?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

Call Free (0800) 0467 345
EPC

our services

We Are EPC Assessors covering the Oxford 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 Oxford 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: Cold Harbour, Forest Hill, Kidlington, Upton, Stone, Westbury, Aylesbury, Manor Park, Victoria Park, Broughton

What is An EPC?

More Info
An EPC is a legal report that provides advice on energy saving actions that can easily make a home more affordable to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy score seen on appliances, it will give the property a score between an A (100) to a G (0). An average UK residence is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

More Info
The most common reason for requiring an EPC is for anyone who is selling or renting a property. It is because, by law, you will need to give the incoming occupant a valid Energy Performance. However you might be asked to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate for any one of these reasons..

• 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 asked by building control to provide an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they are looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This kind of EPC is produced along with SAP calculations to demonstrate that building work has met certain standards required by the building regulations. If you’re not certain, simply give us a call for further advice.

How To Get One Done

More Info
An Assessor must carry out a visit to the home to get the required information for the Energy Performance Certificate. They are certified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

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

The information is then entered into approved government software which then creates 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. In the event 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 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 Enhance Your EPC Rating

Here we will give you some simple tips so that your Energy Performance Certificate reflects your property in the best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC score

More Info
The data put into the software program is based on proof that the Assessor collects during the visit. In most cases the Assessor will get most of the information whilst going around the home.

The Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary information that is needed for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software. In this situation the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can supply documentary proof of any of these sorts of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and will probably enhance the rating of your EPC Certificate.


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

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

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

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

• Roof conversions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architects plans.

These make the biggest difference

More Info
The three things that have the most significant 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 kinds of 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 around 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property or home which is 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 £696 to heat by gas in comparison to £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

More Info
Double glazing
Although upgrades to the double glazing will make a difference, the most significant difference is only really achieved when upgrading from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, it will only show as a modest rise in the energy rating of the property. With upvc double glazing the perception is typically experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular object, this comfort gain is just not measured.

 

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

Oxford Landlord EPC Services

The rules for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a landlord, make sure that you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil fees and penalties as high as £5,000 may be issued.

Look at our guidelines for quick advice. We also provide reductions for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

More Info
From April 2020, all current rental properties need to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Previous to that date an Certificate was only necessary on new rentals. Penalties may be issued by the local authority for violation of this.

What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property

More Info
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 at least 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 reach the minimum.

This is when the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable methods to attain the standards.

When 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 offer assistance all the way.

How To Find If You Have A Valid EPC

More Info
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government have for the last 10 years kept a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. The register is found at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to see if your properties have a valid EPC and see that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recently available report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 investors are yet to conform to the new rules. The article is available here. Ensure you are not one of them. As time goes by, we expect more and more Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The regulations, nevertheless, are not meant to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is below an E, to demonstrate that you are taking or have taken steps to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are specific exemptions that you could 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 Dwellings 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.
    • Are You Able To Let A Property Without An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental homes must 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). An average UK property is a D60. Rental properties have to be a minimum of an E rating. If it is not an E then the landlord would have to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to improve the rating. If an E rating cannot be attained, 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 rates a property from A, the best to G, the worst. Dwellings rated F or G, after April 2020, cannot legally be let. Energy Efficient upgrades will need to be made, or a valid exemption applied for.
    What Is The Fine For Not Having An EPC?
    A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following situations: 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?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Even so, different 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a certain score before they choose to proceed. An example would be a financial institution loaning funds against a rental property, might 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. Also, it is becoming the baseline requested by financial institutions when loaning funds against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the funds if it is below an E, although there are more likely to be additional conditions in the contract.

    What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
    It would simply need 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 valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, 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 incoming occupant 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 identified in the database of Historic England as a listed building. A list can be located 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 with 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 time period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    In addition to the Energy Performance Certificate 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 that all paperwork is presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Home Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be marketed without having an EPC subject to one having actually been requested to be carried out within seven days. If after making all realistic attempts one cannot be obtained within that period, then a further 21 days is allowed to acquire one.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement When Renting?
    Since April 2020, all properties for rental need to have a valid EPC on the EPC register. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of a property 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 Energy Performance Certficate Cost
    An Energy Performance Certificate typically costs between £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Typically it will be cheaper if going straight to a licensed Assessor instead of via a third party such as an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    With well over 12,000 EPCs carried out over the past 6 years in Oxford, we’re thrilled to an element of this lively community.
    What Customers Are Saying

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

    Serving The Oxford Area

    CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE
    Call Free 0800-046-7345
    Contact

    EPCHOME WEBSITE

    OWNED BY ENERGYSMART BEDFORD

    Call Us

    0800 0467 345

    EMAIL US

    [email protected]