What is an EPC and How Much Does It Cost?

One of the most important aspects of buying or renting a property is energy consumption. With energy costs visibly increasing every year, we search for ways to cut the cost by improving our energy efficiency. Even though it seems logical to do so, how do you calculate how much energy your house is consuming in the first place?

You might have heard that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is one of the requirements for homeowners who wish to build, sell, or rent their properties. Even though it is a legal obligation, it is exactly the document you need to serve you as a guide for energy efficiency improvement. 

So, if you:

• Are in the process of selling or renting your property;
• Are wondering what an energy performance certificate is and how it can serve you;
• Wish to know how much an EPC costs,

Then this post is just right for you. Keep on reading!

What is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, is an official assessment of your property’s energy efficiency. It is a legal obligation for each homeowner to order the assessment if they are building, selling, or renting a property in the UK.

The certificate includes the following information:

It’s important to note that the government has introduced a Green Deal program, which allows homeowners to take loans for such improvements as insulation, draught-proofing, and renewable energy installations. And if you need help paying for improvements, you can apply for the Green Homes grant.

When the EPC is not required?

You don’t need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate if the dwelling is:

If you have doubts whether your property belongs on this list, contact your local authorities.

What does EPC include and how to prepare for it?

To perform an Energy Performance certification, a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) will visit your property and evaluate it, based on the following criteria:

Therefore, the accuracy of an Energy Performance Certificate will depend on the provided access to your property, including the majority of the rooms, boiler, gas and heating meters, hot water cylinder, and the rear of the property. 

How to prepare for an EPC?

The building asset rating purely depends on the accuracy of the provided information, therefore, you would want to prepare any documents, building and installation certificates, or any other information that can contribute to the accuracy of the assessment. 

How long is an EPC valid for?

The biggest advantage of this certificate is that it doesn’t require annual renewal like, for example, the Gas Safety Certificate. As it was introduced in 2007, some of you have possibly gotten one and know that an EPC lasts for 10 years.

For rental properties, the certificate can be used for multiple tenancies, as the period of validity remains the same. It should be noted that rental properties must have an efficiency rating of E or higher, and it must be renewed before the expiration date. 

If you are planning to sell your property, a new EPC is required every time it is marketed. This means that if you have bought the property recently, but due to some circumstances want to sell it, you need to issue a new certificate before you put it up for sale, even if the previous EPC hasn’t expired.

How much does an EPC cost?

The fee for an EPC can vary between £70 and £120, depending on various factors. Usually, the final price will depend on:

It is a common practice for real estate agents to offer the Energy Performance Certificate inspection, however, the prices can be higher. Make sure that you order the assessment directly from a company to avoid unnecessary costs.

You can see the prices of Fantastic Services for a reference. To conduct the check, we send only professional assessors. Once the inspection is completed, you will receive a full report stating the energy efficiency of your property and all the necessary recommendations.

T&C and Minimum Charges apply. For more information check our main website.

If you wish to follow the recommendations and improve the energy efficiency of your property, expect additional costs.

Need a professional to perform the EPC assessment?

Get your appointment with a professional from Fantastic Services! The Domestic Energy Assessors we work with will perform a complete assessment of your property at a reasonable cost. By following their tips, you will be able to reach the maximum efficiency level of your property. Once we provide the certificate, you can place your property for letting or selling without any troubles. So what are you waiting for? Book the appointment now!

Takeaways

• EPC is required when you plan to sell or rent out a property.
• The certificate is valid for 10 years.
• It can serve multiple tenancies, as long as the certificate is not expired.
• Before the assessment, it will be helpful to prepare any building and construction manuals you have. That way, the assessors won’t base their conclusions on assumptions.
• The assessment usually takes from 30 min to one hour, depending on the size of your building.

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Have we answered all of your questions? Don’t hesitate to ask us for more information in the comments section.

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