Need an EPC in West End?

Fixed Price EPC – only £59

EPC

our services

We Are EPC Assessors covering the West End 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 West End 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?

More Info
EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. It’s a three to five page report that rates your property from an A the best to G the lowest. It will give advice on energy improvements which might be made in the property which would help to lower your energy bills.

Why You Need One

More Info
{There are various reasons that you may be asked to provide an EPC. The most common of these are if you are selling a property or if you are renting a property. It is a legal requirement that an EPC is given to the other party.}.

• 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 requested 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 sort of EPC is produced along with SAP calculations to show that building work has met certain standards required by the building regulations. If you’re not certain, just contact us for further advice.

How To Get One Done

More Info
An Assessor must undertake a visit to the property to get the required information for the EPC. They are qualified and must be a continuing member of an approved Government accreditation scheme.

Your Assessor will take dimensions of the property plus obtain information regarding the present lighting, heating, glazing and present insulation. It takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes, dependant upon the complexity of the property..

The details are then put into approved government software which produces the EPC. The Certificate will be lodged on the national EPC register and you will receive it by email typically in a couple of days. However, should you need your EPC quickly, for a modest additional fee, 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 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 To Boost Your EPC Score

Here we will offer you some basic guidelines so your EPC reflects your property in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will enhance your EPC rating

More Info
The data put into the software is based on evidence that the Assessor collects during the visit. Typically the Assessor can get almost all of the information whilst going around the property.

What we need to avoid is the Assessor putting into the software program the term “as built” for items that are required where no evidence is obtained. When the term “as built” needs to be used then the software program will default to the worst case scenario based upon 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 supply documentary evidence of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably improve the rating of your EPC Certificate.

• Loft conversions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architectural plans.

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

• Any type of wall insulation Cavity/Internal/External– Any guarantees, or receipts from the contractor

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

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness fitted.

These make the biggest difference

More Info
The three things that have the biggest 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 house heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost £596 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher expenses equals 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

More Info
Double glazing
This will come as a bit of a shock, but upvc double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned before. Where it can have a greater impact, is when the house is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are changing from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the property.

With double glazing the perception is normally experienced 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 measured.

 

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

West End Landlord EPC Services

The rules for landlords are forever increasing. For anybody who is a property owner, make certain you don’t fall foul of the laws, as civil penalty charges of up to £5,000 may 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

More Info
As From April 2020, all existing rented properties need to have a valid EPC. Previous to that date an Certificate was only necessary on new rentals. Penalties can 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 offer rented homes that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties have to be a minimum of an energy rating of an E. If it is an F or a G rating, then the landlord will need to take steps to attain the minimum.

This is where the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable ways to achieve 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 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 last 10 years maintained a register of all EPCs. This register is available at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to see if your properties have a valid Certificate and determine 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 comply with the new rules. This article is available here. Ensure you are not one of them. As time goes by, we expect a growing number of Councils 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 if it is less than an E, to show that you are currently taking or have taken steps to attain an E. Even if it doesn’t achieve an E, there are specific exemptions that you may then be able to apply for. We can give you expect guidance 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.
What Properties Do Not Need To Have 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.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Places of worship.
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • Are You Able To Let A Property Without Having An EPC?
    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 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 rating of an average UK property is a D60 Rental properties must be at 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 can not 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 scores a property from A, the best to G, the lowest. 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 Penalty 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 owner or landlord failed to make a valid domestic EPC available free of charge to the prospective 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 have a certain rating before they decide to proceed. An example would be a bank lending funds against a rental property, will require that the EPC is at least an “E”.
    What Does EPC E Mean?
    The EPC will rate the 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 becoming the standard required by financial institutions when lending funds against a property.

    It’s not saying you won’t be able to borrow the money when it is below an E, although there are more likely to be added clauses in the arrangement.

    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 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 will be valid for a further 10 years.
    Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?
    Indeed, an EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties and homes that are for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the inbound 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 defined in the database of Historic England as a listed building. The list is available 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 given the tenant an EPC. If an EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks has to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    As well as the EPC the tenant would have had to be also provided with a gas safety certificate and also 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 With No EPC?
    Yes a property can be advertised without an EPC but only subject to one having been booked to be done within seven days. If after making all realistic efforts one can not be acquired within that timeframe, then a further 21 days is permitted 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 property 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
    An EPC typically costs between £50 – £120. This depends on size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going directly to a licensed Assessor instead of using a third party for instance an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    We Like West End. There’s more to it than EPCs.
    What Customers Are Saying

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

    Serving The West End Area

    Contact

    EPCHOME WEBSITE

    OWNED BY ENERGYSMART BEDFORD

    Call Us

    0800 0467 345