EPC Stratford

by | May 10, 2020

Need an EPC in Stratford?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

Call Free (0800) 0467 345
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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Stratford 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 Stratford 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: Biggleswade, Chapel End, Chapel End, East End, St Neots, Bedford, Chapel End, Queens Park, Kempston, Ampthill

What is An EPC?

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An EPC is a legal report that gives recommendations on energy saving measures that can make a property less costly to run. EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy score seen on electrical home appliances, it will give the home a score between an A (100) to a G (0). An average UK home is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

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The most common reason for needing an EPC is for anyone who is selling or renting a home. The reason being, by law, you have to give the incoming resident a valid EPC. However you could be required 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 examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been asked by building control to produce an EPC in conjunction with recent building work, they will be looking for what’s called a SAP EPC. This sort of EPC is produced along with SAP calculations to demonstrate that building work has met specified standards required by the building regulations. If you’re not certain, just phone us for more advice.

How To Get One Done

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

Your assessor will take dimensions of the property and also obtain information regarding the present lighting, home heating, glazing and present insulation. A typical size home normally takes around 20 and 30 minutes..

The obtained information then put into approved government software which produces the EPC. The Energy Performance Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, if you need your EPC quickly, for a modest additional charge, we can produce an EPC for you the same day day of the visit. We call this an express EPC.

That’s it, its all done. Your EPC is then valid for ten 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

Tips On How To Enhance Your EPC Score

Here we will give you some basic guidelines to ensure that your Energy Performance Certificate shows your property in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will improve your EPC score

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In most cases your Assessor will be able to get most of the information they need by simply going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary information which is important for audit purposes. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software program. In this instance the software program will use what the property would have been built with based upon it’s age.

If you can supply documentary proof of these types of improvements then these can be shown on the EPC and is likely to help the rating of your EPC Certificate.

• Roof extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architects drawings.

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

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

• Solar PV or Solar Thermal – 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 three things that have the most significant 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 homes 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 around 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating score. Higher expenses equates to 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 can make a difference, the most significant difference is only really achieved if you are improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, it will only show as a modest improvement in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is typically noticed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a decrease in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

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

Stratford Landlord EPC Services

The rules for landlords are forever increasing. If you are a property owner, ensure that you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalty charges of up to £5,000 may be given.

Take a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We 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 should have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Prior to that date an EPC was only required on new rentals. Penalties 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 offer rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties must be a minimum of 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 would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable solutions to attain the standards.

In the event 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 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 past ten years kept a register of all EPCs. This register is available at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to see if your properties have a valid EPC and determine that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

A recent post in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 investors are yet to comply with the new rules. The information is available here. Make sure you are not among them. Over time, we anticipate a lot more Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

The rules, nevertheless, are not meant to be onerous. The 1st step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and if it is below an E, to demonstrate you are taking or have taken actions to get to an E. Even if it doesn’t attain an E, there are certain exemptions that you might then be able to apply for. We can give you expect advice 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 Do Not Require An EPC?
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Places of worship.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Listed buildings.
    • Can You Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The simple 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 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 average UK property is a D60. Rental properties need to be a minimum of an E rating. If it is not an E then the property owner would need to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to improve the rating. If an E rating can not 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?
    The minimum EPC rating for rental is an ‘E’. The EPC scores the property from A, the highest 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 set penalty charge of £200 can be given for failure to comply in the following situations: on sale or rent the vendor or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity.
    Can You Fail An EPC?
    No. The EPC is not a pass or fail. Nevertheless, various 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specified score before they choose to continue. One example might be a financial institution loaning money against a rental property, will require that the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The Energy Performance Certificate will rate the 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. It is also getting to be the standard requested by banks when loaning money against a home.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to borrow the funds when it is below an E, although there are more likely to be extra conditions in the arrangement.

    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 need to have a valid EPC of at least an E rating or higher. 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?
    Yes, 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. Legally, the inbound resident has 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 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 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 EPC. If an EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

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

    Can You Market A Property Without An EPC?
    Yes a property can be advertised without having an EPC subject to one having been requested to be carried out within seven days. If after making all reasonable attempts one can not be obtained within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is allowed to acquire one.
    It Is A Legal Requirement For Renting, To Have An EPC?
    From April 2020, all dwellings for rental must 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 Will An EPC Cost
    The price of an Energy Performance Certificate is typically in the range of £50 – £120. This depends upon size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to a certified Assessor rather than through a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    {Stratford sometimes gets bad press.} However, we believe it’s not really justified. It’s a terrific area to operate and live and are extremely pleased to be an EPC company in the area.
    What Customers Are Saying

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

    Serving The Stratford Area

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

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