Lockings Solicitors

How to get an Energy Performance Certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is a legal requirement if you intend selling or renting out a property. We explain how to find out whether an EPC already exists for your property and how to get an Energy Performance Certificate if you need one.

At Lockings Solicitors, our property solicitors offer a full range of legal services, including conveyancing in East Yorkshire and beyond. We can help you obtain an EPC where necessary and represent you if you are buying or selling a house or flat.

We offer a FREE initial chat so that you can ask us any questions you may have about EPCs and the conveyancing process. Call us on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we will call you back promptly. We have offices in Beverley, Hull and York and represent clients across the East Yorkshire and York area.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate provides an official energy efficiency rating for a property. The ratings are A-G, with A being the best and most efficient rating.

When calculating an EPC rating, the assessor will look at a range of issues, including:

  • Insulation, including in walls, roof and floor
  • The property’s construction, including the thickness of the walls
  • The type of heating
  • Heating controls
  • Windows and doors
  • Lighting

The energy efficiency, fuel costs and environmental impact or CO2 emissions will determine the score. The certificate will include suggestions for improvements that could be made and the potential rating that could be achieved if these are done.

It will also include information about the energy and financial savings that increased energy efficiency could achieve.

When do I need an Energy Performance Certificate?

If you are selling a property, you must obtain an EPC. Ideally, this will be available to give to the estate agent when they prepare the details of the property. They will then display the certificate alongside the property description, photos and other information.

Newly built properties must also have an EPC, even if you will be living in it yourself.

In the event that you do not have an EPC ready to give to the agent, it must have been ordered and you should try to let the estate agent have it within seven days of their listing going live. You will have a further 21 days to provide the certificate if this is not possible, and you must use your best efforts to provide it as soon as you can.

If you have a property that you intend to rent out to tenants, you must have a valid EPC in force. This must have a minimum rating of E. The government intends that all rental properties should have a minimum rating of C by the year 2030. There may be a cap on the amount landlords will have to spend to achieve this. For example, if it is not possible to achieve a C-rating for £10,000 or less, then an exemption certificate might be issued.

Fines can be imposed on landlords for not having an EPC when one is legally required. It is also necessary to have provided an EPC to tenants at the start of their tenancy, or you could lose certain rights, including the right to a section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction.

A high EPC rating can be attractive to buyers and tenants as it will generally mean lower energy bills and a warmer, more efficient and better insulated home.

How long does an Energy Performance Certificate last?

An EPC lasts for ten years. This means that if you moved within the last ten years, a valid EPC may still be in force.

How do I find out if there is an Energy Performance Certificate for my property?

The government’s website offers an online checking tool which states whether an EPC is in force for a property and what the rating is. You will also be able to view the document.

When should I get an Energy Performance Certificate?

When you decide to sell or let a property, you can request an EPC. This will give you a good chance of having it in time for the estate agent or letting agent to display the certificate along with their listing.

If you have had work carried out which is likely to have improved your rating, you might want to obtain a new EPC, even if the current one is still valid.

How to get an Energy Performance Certificate

EPCs are issued by accredited energy assessors. The government’s website has a list of approved assessors. Your chosen estate agent or letting agent may also be able to recommend a local individual. In some cases, the agent may also be prepared to arrange the assessment for you.

The assessor will visit the property and examine the accessible areas, including the loft space and basement.

Following their inspection, they will prepare the EPC and provide you with a digital copy.

How much does an Energy Performance Certificate cost?

The cost of an EPC will vary depending on the assessor. Assessments of larger homes tend to be more expensive.

How can I increase my EPC rating?

If you are thinking about selling or letting a property and you would like to increase your energy efficiency rating, work commonly recommended includes:

  • Improving insulation, but take professional advice from a surveyor first as cavity wall insulation is not suitable for all properties and spray foam insulation can be extremely problematic and should be avoided
  • Upgrading your boiler
  • Adding new heating controls and thermostats
  • Removing electric fires from the property
  • Insulating or replacing windows and doors
  • Insulating a hot water cylinder, if you have one
  • Ensuring all of your lighting is of the LED type
  • Installing solar panels

You should take professional advice before carrying out work to check that it is recommended and that it has the potential to improve your EPC rating.

Contact our East Yorkshire and York area conveyancing solicitors

If you have any questions about obtaining an EPC or selling your property, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

You can ring us for a FREE initial chat on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our Free Online Enquiry and we will call you back promptly. We have offices in Beverley, Hull and York and represent clients across the East Yorkshire and York area.

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