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Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An important question our Branch Managers are often asked is ‘Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for my property?’

Do you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)? Yes, you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). It is a legal requirement. You need a valid one when you are marketing your property for sales or lettings. There are some exemptions for certain property types but all exemptions have to be registered on the national register. Each registered exemption is valid for only five years.

In addition, from 1st April 2018 any domestic property must meet the new minimum EPC rating of E or higher. EPCs only last for 10 years and this has became compulsory in 2008. Therefore, it is very important to check that your EPC is still valid and the rating is E or higher. From 1st April 2020, it will not be possible to let any domestic property that has an EPC rating of F or G and therefore you need a valid EPC. If a landlord wants to back possession of a property it is legally necessary to have a valid EPC before serving a notice on a tenant.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) works in a similar way to the energy stickers that you might find on a new appliance, except for that they apply to a building. They tell you how energy efficient a property is by giving it a rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient. They are designed to let the person who owns or lives in the property know how much it is likely to cost to power the building, its carbon emission levels, and where improvements can be made. It highlights some cost-effective methods to improve the rating based on the property. Even if you are renting, you will be able to make some recommended changes listed on the EPC such as switching to energy-saving lightbulbs. An EPC is valid for ten years after the date it is issued.

Why Do You Need an EPC Certificate London?

If you are marketing your property for sale or rent, the EPC needs to be available to potential buyers or tenants. You will need to arrange an approved domestic energy assessor to conduct the EPC checks. An EPC allows people who are buying or renting property to compare the energy efficiency of different properties easily. It can be useful when looking to improve your current property or a property that you are considering buying since it highlights improves that could be made, how much they are likely to cost, and how much you could save by making them.

What’s Included on an EPC?

It’s worth bearing in mind that not all EPCs will look the same. From 2017, you can expect the following information to typically be listed on your EPC:

#1. Energy Costs – Current and Potential:

The first page of the EPC will begin with an estimate of current and potential energy bill costs. This can be useful information for potential buyers or tenants who may want an idea of how much a new property will cost to run in terms of energy bills. The costs cover heating, lighting, and hot water and do not include additional energy costs in the home such as from appliances and electronics, so it’s worth considering that realistic energy costs are likely to be higher compared to what is listed on the EPC.

You will also be provided with a visual comparison of property energy performance that is similar to energy labels on electronic appliances. This chart explains the different energy efficiency rating for properties and outlines which rating your property has been given. It will also show the potential changed rating that you could achieve by making the recommended improvements.

#2. Energy Performance:

This part of the EPC provides you with a detailed look at each element of your property. It provides a description of each section and an energy rating from one to five stars, where five is the best possible rating. This is designed to help you understand how effective the construction, heating and hot water system, and lighting of your property is. It can be a useful section if you are looking to purchase or rent a property and want to compare the energy efficiency of different property options.

You’ll also find a section that examines how much heat you will be expected to use while living in the property and whether or not this can be improved by adding or improving the insulation.

#3. Recommendations:

This part of the EPC is perhaps the most important and provides you with recommendations on what you can do to improve the energy efficiency rating of the property. You will be provided with a detailed breakdown of recommended steps to take and more information on how much you can expect it to cost, along with how much money you could potentially save by making the recommended changes. Measures are shown in order of importance for improving energy efficiency. You are not legally required to make any of the changes recommended in the EPC, but it’s certainly worth making as many as possible in order to save money on energy over time. The one exemption to this is if the EPC shows a rating of below E for your home. From 2018, all domestic rental properties are required to have a rating of E or above.

Who Produces an Energy Performance Certificate London?

In England, only approved energy assessors are permitted to produce a valid EPC for a property. You can visit the Landmark website to view the energy performance certificate register in England and Wales if you want to find a list of approved EPC assessors. Greater London Properties can also arrange the EPC assessment for your home on your behalf.

EPC Postcode Search

If you want to view EPC details for your home, you can search for your postcode using the EPC register. If you are a tenant, your landlord or letting agency should have provided you with a copy of the EPC when you moved in.

Greater London Properties can organise an EPC for you very easily, please give our team a call and they can arrange this at your own convenience.

We hope this answers your question ‘Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?’.  If you are looking to rent a property in Central London, please visit Greater London Properties, Central London’s largest independent estate agent or call us on 0207 113 1066.

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