Need an EPC in Thornton?

Fixed Price EPC – only £69

EPC

our services

We Are EPC Assessors covering the Thornton 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 Thornton is £69.

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?

More Info
EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a three to five page document which rates the property from an A the highest to G the worst. It will provide suggestions about energy improvements which can be made in the property that could help to reduce your energy bills.

Why You Need One

More Info
The most common reason for needing an Energy Performance Certificate is If you are selling or renting a property. It is because, legally, you will need to give the incoming occupant a valid Energy Performance. These are among 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 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 type 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, simply contact us for more guidance.

How To Get One Done

More Info
An EPC is done by a certified and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor must go to property to get the required information.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the home plus obtain details about the present lighting, heating system, glazing and current insulation. It takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, depending upon the complexity of the property..

The obtained information then input approved government software which generates the certificate. The EPC 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 to have your EPC quickly, for a modest 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 completedYour 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.

Tips On How To Boost Your EPC Rating

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

Image of an EPC energy rating

These will enhance your EPC score

More Info
Typically your Assessor is able to obtain almost all of the information they need by just going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

What we want to prevent is the Assessor putting into the software program the phrase “as built” for items which are needed where no evidence is gathered. When the term “as built” has to be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based on what would have been there when the property was constructed. EPC score.

Whenever you can supply documentary proof of these types of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the Certificate and will likely help the rating of your EPC Certificate.


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

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

• Roof extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

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

These make the biggest difference

More Info
The three items that have the main impact 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 fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a property heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar property 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 property, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC score. Higher expenses 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 improvements to the double glazing can make a difference, the biggest difference is only really achieved if you are improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this will only show as a modest improvement in the energy rating of the property. With upvc double glazing the perception is normally noticed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular item, this kind of comfort gain is just not measured.

 

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

Thornton Landlord EPC Services

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

Check out our guidelines for quick information. We also offer discounts for a number of properties.

Letting agent handing over key

EPCs And Rental Properties

More Info
From April 2020, all existing rented properties must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Previous to that date an Certificate was only needed on new rentals. Fines may be issued by the local authority for breach 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 provide rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties have to be not less than 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 when the landlord would need to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine cost-effective methods to reach the standards.

In the event 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 provide advice 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 past 10 years maintained a register of all EPCs. The register is located at www.epcregister.com. You should check here to find out if your properties have a valid Certificate and see that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

A recent article in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found out that around 250,000 landlords are yet to comply with the new rules. This article can be found here. Make sure you are not among them. Over time, we anticipate a growing number of Local Authorities to get up to speed with enforcements.

These policies, nevertheless, are not meant to be onerous. The 1st step to take is to get an EPC lodged on the register and should it be below an E, to demonstrate that you are taking or have taken steps to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t reach an E, there are certain exemptions that you might then be able to apply for. We can give you 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.
Which Dwellings Are Exempt From Requiring An EPC?
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Places of worship.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings that use little energy.
  • Residential buildings that are used for less than 4 months of the year.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Is It Possible To Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The simple answer is No. From April 2020 all rental homes need to have a valid EPC recorded on the EPC register. To legally rent a property the energy rating of the EPC has 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). An average UK property is a D60. Rental properties must be at the least an E rating. If it is not an E then the landlord will need to undertake some of the recommendations on the EPC to raise the rating. If an E rating can not be reached, 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?
    Homes rented out in the private market 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 set penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following circumstances: on sale or rent the owner 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, different 3rd parties may require the EPC achieve a specified score before they decide to continue. One example would be a bank lending funds against a rental property, would require 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 for you to rent out. It is also getting to be the standard required by banks when lending funds against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the money if it is below an E, however there will probably be additional conditions in the contract.

    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 must 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 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 that are being sold as well as all newly built properties. Legally, the inbound occupant need to be provided with an EPC.
    Are All Listed Buildings Exempt From An EPC?
    All listed buildings are exempt from needing an EPC. A listed building is one as being described in the database of Historic England as a listed building. A list can be found 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 using 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 period of 8 weeks needs to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Aside from 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 documents is presented to the courts correctly.

    Could You Market A Home Without An EPC?
    Yes a property may be advertised without an EPC but only subject to one having been requested to be carried out within 7 days. If after making all reasonable attempts one can not be done within that period, then a further 21 days is allowed to get 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 property from A-G. For rental, the EPC has 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 will depend on the size of property and location. Typically it will be cheaper if going directly to a licensed Assessor instead of via a 3rd party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    Enjoy it or loath it Thornton is definitely an interesting place to reside and work. Personally, we love it and are happy 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 Thornton Area

    Contact

    EPCHOME WEBSITE

    OWNED BY ENERGYSMART BEDFORD

    Call Us

    0800 0467 345