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Energy Performance Certificates

If you are intending to sell or rent your property it is mandatory to hold an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). As the UK government looks to further reduce environmental damage.

EPCs provide information on a building's energy efficiency using a sliding scale - 'A' being the most efficient, to 'G' the least. The Energy Efficiency Rating (relating to running costs) forms part of the report, the EPC will show the Environment Impact Rating (relating to the carbon dioxide emissions).

Included in the report are recommendations on how to improve the rating of your property, however there are no statutory requirements to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures.

 

Only accredited domestic energy assessors and certified home inspectors can produce EPCs for domestic properties. They inspect on how homes are constructed, insulated, heated and ventilated, and the type of fuel source being used.

Once your property has had an EPC produced, it receives a unique number and is registered on a national database by the assessor.
 

Who requires an EPC?

Energy Performance Certificates are needed whenever a property is sold, rented or built. An EPC is only required for a dwelling that is self-contained and Landlords are not required to produce an EPC when an existing lease is renewed.
 

There are certain exemptions where you don’t require an EPC and if you can demonstrate that the building is any of the following:

  • listed or officially protected and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it
  • a temporary building only going to be used for 2 years or less
  • used as a place of worship or for other religious activities
  • an industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use much energy
  • a detached building with a total floor space under 50 square metres
  • due to be demolished by the seller or landlord and they have all the relevant planning and conservation consent.s

Sellers and landlords can market their property immediately once an EPC has been commissioned, but must ensure that the EPC is in place within a maximum of 28 days.
 

How long will an EPC last?

Currently EPCs are valid for 10 years and can be reused for new tenants or the sale of property as many times as required within that period. It is recommended that a new EPC is carried out if improvements relating to the energy performance have been carried out.
 

How Do I Get an EPC?

Sinclair Estate Agents use accredited DEA’s (Domestic Energy Assessors) who are registered with the appropriate accreditation scheme and they are required to have passed a basic Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check.

Whether you are selling or looking to let your property and require an EPC, we can certainly arrange this for you. Just fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

Need an EPC?

Need an EPC?

For further information and advice feel free to contact us and we will get something booked in.