What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a guide that would-be buyers or tenants get when they show interest in a property. An EPC shows how efficiently a home uses energy, the cost of running a home and recommendations of how to improve the energy efficiency if required. An EPC is an essential part of the house buying and letting process, and have been compulsory since 2008.
Why were EPC’s introduced?
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) began the implementation of EPCs throughout Europe.
The Housing Act 2004 is the UK’s legislation specific to EPCs; introducing the EPC to England and Wales in August 2007, followed by Northern Ireland (June 2008) and then Scotland (December 2008). EPCs are required for homes which are put up for sale or rental across the whole of the UK.
Which Buildings require an EPC?
All domestic buildings being sold or rented require an EPC, and the EPC is valid for ten years from the date of certificate. However, if you make major changes in that time, such as fitting double glazing or changing the boiler, it may be worth commissioning a new one to reflect these.
How does it work?
An accredited Energy Assessor visits the property to collect only the data required for assessing energy features, and generates an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) using government approved software. The assessment is based on the construction and type of dwelling and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).
It is not a structural or building survey, condition report or property valuation. An EPC should not be read as a comment on the overall condition of the property nor will it comment on the presence or otherwise of asbestos, high alumina cement concrete, additives including calcium chloride, or any building defects or hazardous materials.
It will also not cover items or problems in the property which would be picked up in a building survey, which may be costly to rectify, as these are outside the scope of the data collected.
The assessment takes approximately 10-60 minutes depending on property size. The EPC is a 4 page PDF document which is sent electronically post assessment, and is added to the national EPC register for anyone to access.
What is the purpose of an EPC?
An EPC is intended to provide prospective buyers and tenants of a building with correct information about the energy performance of the building and practical advice on improving such performance.
An EPC includes recommendations on how the energy performance of the building can be improved (to reduce running costs), together with an indication of the payback period. There is no statutory requirement to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures stated.
The EPC will provide an energy efficiency rating from A to G, where A is the most efficient and G is the least efficient. The better the rating, the more energy efficient the building is, and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be.
Minimum EPC Requirements
The minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) was introduced in March 2015 by the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. The MEES Regulations originate from the Energy Act 2011 which contained the previous Coalition Government’s package of energy efficiency policies.
From 1 April 2018, landlords of buildings within the scope of the MEES Regulations must not renew existing tenancies or grant new tenancies if the building has less than the minimum EPC rating of E.
We advise clients on properties with low EPC ratings. Please do get in touch if you need to discuss anything related to the this legislation.
