Low Cost EPC Provider For Stevenage
Simple Fixed Price EPC – Only £55
our services
We Are local EPC Assessors covering your area
We are a team of local Assessors, that undertake EPCs in Stevenage and nearby surrounding areas. As accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, we would be pleased to undertake your EPC whether it’s required for rental or perhaps for a house sale. Our typical charge to undertake an EPC in Stevenage is just £55 inclusive.
What Is An EPC? – Steph Explains Below.
Some people are uncertain of what an EPC is before they call us. Our explainer video clip below will help. Or you can always read the brief explanation.
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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Why You Need One
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• 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 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 sort of EPC is known as SAP EPC and is necessary for building control to show compliance with building regulations for any recent construction work you have undertaken. In case you require a SAP EPC, then CLICK HERE. If you’re unsure, just give us a call for more guidance.
How To Get One Done
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Your Assessor will take dimensions of the property and also collect information regarding the current lighting, heating system, glazing and existing insulation. An average size home takes around 20 and 30 minutes..
The obtained information then entered into approved government software which then generates the EPC. The EPC Certificate is then lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in 2 to 3 days. However, should you need to have your EPC urgently, for a small additional fee, we will produce an EPC for you the same day day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.
That’s it, its all completed. Your EPC is then valid for 10 years.
- Click the BOOK ONLINE button below
- Select an available date and time slot
- Give us your name and the address requiring the EPC
- Pay securely online
- 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 Enhance Your EPC Rating
Here we will offer you some basic tips to ensure that your Energy Performance Certificate reflects your home in the best light.
These will improve your EPC rating
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What we should avoid is the Assessor putting into the software the term “as built” for items which are required where no evidence is gathered. If the term “as built” must be used then the software program will default to the worst case scenario based on what would have been there when the property was built. This could have a negative effect on the {rating of the EPC}
If you can provide documentary evidence of these kinds of improvements then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC Certificate.
• Roof extensions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architectural drawings.
• Double glazing improvements to the majority of the property – Certificate from Fensa, or dated receipt from the installer.
• Any wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the contractor
• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – An MCS certificate from contractor.
• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness installed.
These make the biggest difference
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• 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 around 4.64 pence per kwh and the same house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat by gas compared 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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Although improvements to the double glazing can make a difference, the biggest increase is only really achieved when upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally sensed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is simply not measured.
Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the Energy Performance Certificate because they are an inexpensive improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.
Stevenage Landlord EPC Services
The regulations for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, ensure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalties of up to £5,000 could be given.
Take a look at our guidelines for quick information. We also offer reduced prices for a number of properties.
EPCs And Rental Properties
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What Is The Minimum Rating For A Rental Property
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This is when the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable solutions to achieve the standards.
When 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 offer advice all the way.
How To Find If You Have A Valid EPC
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A recent post in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found out that around 250,000 investors are yet to conform to the new regulations. The information can be found here. Make sure you are not among them. As time passes, we expect more and more Councils to get up to speed with enforcements.
The rules, having said that, are not intended to be onerous. The first step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be less than an E, to demonstrate you are taking or have taken steps to reach an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are specific exemptions that you may then be able to apply for. We can provide expect recommendations 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 Requiring An EPC?
Are You Able To Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
The answer is No. From April 2020 all rental properties need to have a valid EPC registered 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 most efficient) to G 0 ( the least efficient). The average UK property is a D60. Rental properties must be a minimum of an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner would have to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to lift the rating. If an E rating cannot be reached, then an exemption can be applied for by going to the Government website and applying for an exemption on the PRS register.
Is There A Minimum EPC rating to Let A Property?
Homes 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 property which does not have a minimum E rating unless the property has an exemption.
What Is Penalty For Not Having An EPC?
A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be given 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 would-be buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
Can An EPC Fail?
Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Having said that, various 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specific rating before they choose to proceed. An example would be a bank loaning money 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 property can be so as to rent out. It is also getting to be the baseline required by banks when loaning money against a property.
It’s not saying you won’t be able to obtain the money when it is below an E, although there are more likely to be extra conditions in the agreement.
What Happens If An EPC Runs Out During A Tenancy?
It would simply have to be renewed. Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, all rental properties must 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 10 years.
Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
Indeed, an Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties which are for sale as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the incoming occupant has to 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. A list is available at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
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 the EPC is subsequently obtained, a time period of 8 weeks has to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.
Along with the Energy Performance Certificate 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 to ensure all paperwork is presented to the courts correctly.
Can You Market A Home With No EPC?
Yes a property may be marketed without having an EPC but only subject to one having actually been planned to be carried out within seven days. If after making all reasonable attempts one cannot be obtained within that period, then a further 21 days is permitted to acquire one.
Is It A Legal Requirement For An EPC 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 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 Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate typically costs between £50 – £120. This depends on size of property and location. Usually it will be cheaper if going straight to a certified Assessor as opposed to through a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
We Love Stevenage. There’s much more to it than EPCs.