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We Are EPC Assessors covering the Westminster 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 Westminster 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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An EPC is a legal report that gives advice on energy saving actions that can easily make a home cheaper to run. EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. Very much the same as the energy score found on electrical home appliances, it will give the home a score between an A (100) to a G (0). An average UK residence is rated at a D60.

Why You Need One

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The most frequent reason for requiring an EPC is for anyone who is selling or renting a property. The reason being, legally, you must give the incoming resident a valid Energy Performance. These are among the other reasons you could be asked 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 the above examples refer to existing residential properties. If you have been requested 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 type of EPC is produced in addition to SAP calculations to show that building work has met specified standards required by the building regulations. If you’re unsure, simply contact us for further guidance.

How To Get One Done

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An EPC is carried out by a certified and approved domestic energy assessor. The Assessor must go to property to get the necessary information.

Your assessor will take dimensions of the property plus gather information regarding the present lighting, home heating, glazing and existing insulation. It may take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the home..

The information is then entered into approved government software which then produces the EPC. The EPC will then be lodged on the national EPC register and you should receive it by email typically in a couple of days. In the event you require it quickly, for a small additional charge, we are able to arrange for you to get it the same day.

That’s it, its all doneYour EPC is then valid for 10 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 Rating

Here we will give you some simple tips to ensure that your Energy Performance Certificate shows your home in the very best light.

Image of an EPC energy rating

These things will improve your EPC score

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The data entered into the software is based on evidence which the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases the Assessor can get most of the information whilst going around the property.

Your Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary information that is required for audit purposes. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In this instance the program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

If you can provide documentary proof of any of these kinds of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the Certificate and is likely to improve the rating of your EPC Certificate.


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

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractor showing thickness fitted.

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

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

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

These make the biggest difference

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The 3 mains things that have the biggest 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 properties are typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same property 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 £596 to heat with gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC score. 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

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Double glazing
This will come as a surprise, but double glazing does not have as big an effect on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not nearly as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned before. However, where it will have a larger impact, is when the house is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are improving from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is generally noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because 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 indeed help the EPC since they are a low cost improvement that makes a contribution to lower energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.

Westminster Landlord EPC Services

The regulations for property owners are forever increasing. For anybody who is a landlord, make sure that you don’t fall foul of the regulations, as civil penalties as high as £5,000 can be issued.

Have a look at our guidelines for quick advice. We provide discounts for multiple 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 Energy Performance Certificate. Prior to that date an EPC was only needed on new rentals. Penalties can be issued by the local authority for breach 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 supply rented properties that meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency. All rented properties need 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 get to the minimum.

This is when the landlord needs to work closely with the Energy Assessor to determine affordable ways 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 assistance 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 last ten years kept a register of all Energy Performance Certificates. This register is located at www.epcregister.com. You can check here to see if your rentals have a valid Certificate and determine that they meet at least the minimum E rating.

A recent report in the Telegraph taken from information on the register found that around 250,000 landlords are yet to comply with the new regulations. The article is available here. Ensure you are not one of 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 less than an E, to show you are taking or have taken actions to reach an E. Even if it doesn’t reach an E, there are certain exemptions that you could then be able to apply for. We can provide 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.
Which Properties Are Exempt From Needing An EPC?
  • Stand-alone buildings (of less than 50 m2 )
  • 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.
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years.
  • Listed buildings.
  • Can You Let A Property Without Having An Energy Performance Certificate?
    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 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 rating of an 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 landlord will need to carry out some of the recommendations on the EPC to lift the rating. If an E rating can not be achieved, 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?
    Properties rented out in the private sector will be required to possess 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 The Fine For Not Having An EPC?
    A fixed penalty charge of £200 can be issued for failure to comply in the following situations: 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?
    Simply no. The EPC is not a pass or fail. However, different 3rd parties may require the EPC have a specified score before they choose to proceed. An example would be a bank lending 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 the property either A,B,C,D,E,F, or G. An E rating is the legal minimum a property can be to be able to rent out. Also, it is becoming the baseline required by banks when lending money against a property.

    It’s not to say you won’t be able to obtain the funds if it is below an E, although there will probably be additional conditions in the agreement.

    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 above. 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 Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties and properties that are for sale as well as all newly built properties. By law, the incoming resident has 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 identified 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 the EPC is subsequently obtained, a period of 8 weeks would need to pass before applying for a section 21 notice.

    Along with the Energy Performance Certificate the tenant will 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 given to the courts correctly.

    Can A Property Be Marketed Without An EPC?
    Yes a property can be marketed without an EPC but only subject to one having been planned to be carried out within seven days. If after making all realistic attempts one can not be done within that timeframe, 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 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 Is An Energy Performance Certificate?
    The cost of an Energy Performance Certificate is usually in the range of £50 – £120. This is dependent upon size of property and location. Typically it is cheaper if going straight to an accredited Assessor rather than through a third party like an Estate Agent or a marketing company.
    Like it or loath it Westminster is surely an exciting place to reside and work. Personally, we love it and are happy to be one of the leading EPC service providers in the area
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    Serving The Westminster Area

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