Energy Performance Certificates

What is an EPC?

A EPC (Energy performance Certificate) is a report which shows how energy efficient a building is. All residential buildings must have had an EPC assessment carried out if it is to be rented out or sold.

A EPC gives your home an energy efficiency rating of between A and G, with A being the most energy efficient that is possible and G being very poor. Having a good energy efficiency rating can be good for attracting buyers or tenants to your home as it means they will have reduced fuel costs in the future.

Do I need a EPC?

Landlords or sellers must have an EPC produced before they put their property on the market or out to rent.

It is a legal requirement to have a valid EPC assessment if you are selling or leasing out your commercial property or have carried out any work which could affect its energy rating. Offices, warehouses, hotels, or buildings used for retail purposes are all examples of commercial buildings.

EPC FAQs

What are the benefits to having a Domestic EPC?

Whilst it is obligatory for home owners to have a domestic EPC if they are looking to sell or rent their property, there are other benefits as well. Firstly, your domestic EPC will give you (and future occupants) the chance to see how energy efficient your house is now, but also in the future. The recommendations that are given mean that you can make your property more attractive to potential buyers or tenants by making it more energy efficient. A domestic EPC will give you a good understanding of the energy efficiency of your property at a glance, and it is simple and easy to make sense of.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO HAVING A COMMERCIAL EPC?

Obtaining an energy performance certificate is a legal requirement in the UK. However, obtaining an EPC certificate can be beneficial for the owner. An EPC is easy to grasp at a glance and will give you recommendations on how to improve the building’s energy efficiency. This will allow any prospective buyers or tenants to see (and action) anything that needs to be done in the future to make it more energy efficient. Once your EPC has been completed and you have your grading, it will last for 10 years. This is the same as a domestic EPC. It will be unique to your specific address and will not need to be carried out again unless you make significant changes to the building.

How long does an EPC last?

Your domestic EPC will last for 10 years – the same as a commercial EPC. Unless you make significant changes to your property, you will not need another one, and likewise, if you have had an assessment done in the last 10 years and haven’t made any changes to your home, you don’t need a new one.

Are there penalties for not getting a Domestic EPC?

The law is very clear on its requirement for domestic EPCs. The responsibility is on the current owner to make sure that they have a residential EPC if they are selling or renting out the property. If the property is a dwelling, the fine for not having an EPC is £200. You can legally market your property once that you have booked your EPC, even if you haven’t had it yet. Proof that you have booked your assessment is enough.

ARE THERE PENALTIES FOR NOT GETTING A commercial EPC?

If you fail to obtain a commercial EPC, you could be legible to pay a fine of between £500 and £5000. In most cases, this fine is 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, or at a default value of £750 when this cannot be calculated. The penalty amount is capped at £5000. You can legally market the commercial building once that you have booked your EPC, even if you don’t have it yet. Proof that you have booked your assessment is sufficient.

How much does a Domestic EPC cost?

Our domestic EPC prices vary according to the size of your property, but they start from only £59 (excluding VAT). We offer competitive prices to home owners and a free, no obligation quote.

How much does a Commercial EPC cost?

Our commercial EPC prices vary according to the size of the property, but they start from only £100 (excluding VAT). We offer competitive prices and a free, no-obligation quote.

What happens during the assessor’s visit?

The amount of time that our energy assessor will spend at your home depends on its size, and the degree of access that they have to the house. Our energy assessor will look at a number of factors in the house, including: The size of the building, Your lighting, Cavity wall and loft insulation, Hot water and central heating, systems, The energy efficiency of the windows and Ventilation

Getting an EPC

It’s easy to get your EPC with us here at Merline. Our energy assessors are all professionally qualified in energy efficiency surveying. We require them to be members of accreditation companies who regularly audit their work and ensure that criminal record checks are up to date.

Our team of energy advisors are also on hand to talk you through the results and implications of your EPC if need be.

If you are thinking about selling or renting out your home, you will need to have an EPC, so why not get in touch with us today?