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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Springfield 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 Springfield 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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EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a 3 to 5 page report that rates your property from an A the best to G the lowest. It will also give advice on energy improvements which can be made on the home that might help to reduce your energy bills.

Why You Need One

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The most typical reason for requiring an Energy Performance Certificate is If you are selling or renting a home. This is because, legally, you will need to give the incoming resident a valid EPC. These are some of the other reasons you may be required to provide an EPC.

• 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 asked 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 necessary for building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent development work you might have undertaken. Should you need a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re not sure, just give us a call for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home as well as collect information about the current lighting, heating, glazing and current insulation. An average size home will take between 20 and 30 minutesto do..

The information is then entered into approved government software which then produces the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. However, should you need your EPC quickly, for a small additional fee, we can provide an EPC for you the same day day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

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 tips so your EPC reflects your home in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC rating

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The information entered into the software program is based on proof that the Assessor gathers during the visit. Typically your Assessor will get most of the information whilst going around the home.

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

Whenever you can supply documentary evidence of these kinds of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and will likely improve the rating of your EPC.


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

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

• Loft conversions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural drawings.

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains things 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 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 somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical property or home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi-detached using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £596 to heat by gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC rating. 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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Double glazing
This particular one may come as a surprise, but upvc double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as earlier mentioned. However, where it can have a greater effect, is when the home is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are improving from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, it will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is typically felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Unfortunately the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

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

Springfield Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. For anybody who is a property owner, make sure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalty charges of up to £5,000 could be issued.

Check out our guidelines for quick advice. We provide reduced prices for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

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From April 2020, all current rented properties should have a valid EPC. Previous to that date an Energy Performance Certificate was only necessary on new rentals. Penalties and fees can be issued by the local authority for violation 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 properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties must be at least an energy rating of an E. If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord must take steps to reach the minimum.

This is where the landlord must work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable methods to attain the standards.

In the event the landlord has spent 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 advice 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 past ten years managed a register of all EPCs. This register is located at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to find out if your rentals have a valid EPC and see that they meet at least the required E rating.

A recent post in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 landlords are yet to conform to the new regulations. The information can be found here. Ensure you are not among them. As time passes, we anticipate a lot more Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

These policies, nevertheless, are not intended to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be below an E, to demonstrate that you are currently taking or have taken actions to reach 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 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 Dwellings Are Exempt From Requiring An EPC?
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Places of worship.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Are You Able To 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 must 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 have to 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 lift 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?
    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 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 potential buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can You Fail An EPC?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, various 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specified rating before they choose to proceed. One example might be a bank lending funds against a rental property, might require 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 for you to rent out. Also, it is getting to be the baseline required by banks when lending funds against a home.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the money if it is below an E, however there are more likely to be extra conditions 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 will 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 ten years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties which are for sale as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the inbound resident need to 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 defined in the database of Historic England as a listed building. This 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 an EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Besides the EPC the tenant would have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate in addition to 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 documentation is presented to the courts correctly.

    Can A Property Be Marketed Without Having An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without having an EPC but only subject to one having been commissioned to be carried out within seven days. If after making all realistic attempts one cannot be done within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to get 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 must 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 normally in the range of £50 – £120. This depends upon size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to an accredited Assessor as opposed to using a third party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    There are many fascinating places and things to see in Springfield and we aim to be the first port of call for an EPC in the area. It’s a terrific place to live and work.
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    Serving The Springfield Area

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    0800 0467 345