Does everyone need an EPC?
An EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent. Once you have an EPC for a home for sale, it is valid for three years. An EPC for letting
purposes is valid for 10 years.
What are the implications of not having an EPC?
Under domestic EPC legislation non-compliance will result in a fine of £200.
Commercial EPC legislation non-compliance will result in a penalty. The indications are that this may be based on 12.5% of the rateable value of the property in question, with a
minimum of £500 and maximum of £5,000.
The penalty is £500 for failing to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public and £1000 for failing to have possession of a valid
advisory report. The DEC is valid for one year.
What is an EPC?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and
carbon emission efficiency grade from 'A' to 'G', where 'A' is the most efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is D.
What else does the certificate tell you?
The ratings are measured using the same calculations for all homes, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties. Part of the EPC is a report, which lists the
potential rating that your home could achieve, if you make the recommended changes.
The report lists:
- Suggested improvements (such as fitting loft insulation), and the approximate cost of these.
- Possible cost savings per year if the improvements are made and how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property.
You can use this information to:
- Cut your fuel bills
- Improve energy performance in your home and help cut carbon emissions
- Help you choose a more energy efficient home to rent or buy
You do not have to act on the recommendations contained in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, then it could make your property more attractive for sale or
rent by making it more energy efficient.
Who needs an EPC?
- Sellers or buyers of homes
- All sellers of homes need to ensure that they provide a Home Information Pack which includes an EPC for potential buyers.
- An EPC must be made available to a potential homebuyer free of charge.
Builders
An EPC needs to be provided to buyers of newly built properties.
Landlords
If you are a landlord, you will need to make an EPC available to prospective tenants the first time you let a home after 1 October 2008. An EPC is only required for a property
which is self-contained, and is valid for 10 years. An EPC isn’t required when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.
Tenants
If you are interested in renting a property then an EPC must be made available to you free of charge. An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained, and is valid
for 10 years. If you are a prospective tenant, an EPC is not required when you rent a room and share facilities.
If you are not in one of the above categories
Even if you do not fall into the above categories, you can still apply for and receive an EPC. This may be because you want to know what the energy efficiency of your home is,
and make improvements suggested by the recommendation report.
Will EPC’s be needed across the UK?
The EPC only applies to England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland are producing their own regulations.
How do you get an EPC?
An EPC can only be produced as a result of a survey by an ‘accredited’ energy assessor. The EPC is used to collect standard information about the property, for example, its size
and hot water/heating systems. The information is then fed into a government-approved software programme which produces the EPC.
The Purchasing Process
How much will it cost?
The price of an EPC will depend on the location and size of your property and the distance travelled by the energy assessor.
How long will it take to get an EPC?
Obtaining an EPC for an average sized home is likely to take the same time as a house valuation report. The exact time will vary from property to property but on average we aim
to deliver the certificate within 48 hours of the assessment day.