EPCs
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a European Initiative designed to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The certificate provides ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least, with the average up to now being ‘D’. The EPC also comes with a report explaining the findings and suggesting possible improvements to improve the buildings energy efficiency.
If you are renting or selling a home you now need a certificate by law. From October 2008 EPCs will be required whenever a building is built, sold or rented.
Selling
If you are selling your property there is a legal requirement for you to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You can instruct Southview Surveyors to carry this out for you separately.
Renting
Landlords of private residential properties and registered social landlords (RSLs), will be responsible for ensuring a valid EPC is made available to all prospective tenants. Even if you market the property for rent, by law you need to make an EPC available.
Ordering an EPC
Should you require an EPC, or just general advice including our fee scales, please contact us.
FAQs
Yes. One of our trained Energy Assessors will contact you shortly after you have placed your order to arrange a convenient time to visit your property. The inspection consists of measuring the property, checking for insulation and examining your light bulbs and boiler systems etc.
No, you do not pass or fail the energy inspection. Your property will be assigned a grade between A – G depending on how energy efficient it is. You will also be provided with a report explaining how you could improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Trading standards officers have the power to issue a fixed penalty notice of £200 for domestic properties where an EPC is not provided.
EPCs for rental properties last for 10 years.