1st December 2017

Is it a legal requirement to have an EPC when selling or letting your property?

Category: Selling


Tags: ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE, EPC

Owen Miles

Partner, Curchods Shepperton

If you’ve not moved home in a while or you’re new to being a landlord, you may have heard the term Energy Performance Certificate or EPC but don’t know what it is, or if you have heard of them, you might be wondering whether you need one.  In this blog post we’re going to share our industry knowledge on EPC’s so by the end you’ll know exactly what an Energy Performance Certificate is and if you need one for selling or letting your property

What is an EPC?

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were brought into force in August 2007, following a EU directive that was embraced into English law by the Housing Act 2004. EPC’s originally formed part of the Home Information Pack (HIP), until May 2010 when the HIP was abolished. The EPC component was retained as a legal requirement for all residential properties at their time of construction, or when an existing property is sold or rented.

 

EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate, a document that provides a record of the energy efficiency or performance rating of a residential building.

 

How are properties assessed?

The EPC needs to be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor, who will visit the property and inspect the key areas including the loft and cavity wall insulation (depending upon age and construction), windows for double-glazing, heating and hot water systems, secondary heating, light bulbs, solar and photovoltaic panels.

The Domestic Energy Assessor enters their findings into a software programme that produces the energy rating. The resulting Energy Performance Certificate also includes the address, type of property, habitable internal floor area, date of inspection and a unique serial number.

These certificates are held on a central database within the public domain and can be readily accessed for free at www.epcregister.com.


Example Energy Performance Certificate

Each property is given a digital score that is translated into rating from A to C for new build and C to G for existing. This is depicted on a bar chart graph, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient. In addition, a second ‘Potential’ rating is given to show how energy efficient the property could be, if all the recommendations outlined in the EPC document on how the property can be made more energy efficient are implemented.

 

The certificate is valid for 10 years and will only need to be reassessed if the property is extended of other works have been undertaken that fundamentally affect its rating.

 

Does your property fall into one of the categories that don’t need and EPC?

If might surprise you to hear that not all residential properties being brought to the market require an EPC as there are some types of properties that are exempt:

  • Listed buildings
  • Mixed usage: residential and commercial.
  • Properties due to be demolished with valid planning consent for redevelopment.
  • Residential buildings with usage for less than 4 months a year.

 

What happens if you want to sell, but don’t have an EPC?

If you are thinking of selling and you don’t have a valid EPC, you need not worry as its absence won’t delay putting your property on the market, as long as one is ordered prior to the commencement of marketing.

Do you need an EPC for rental properties?

For rental properties, as of 1st April 2018 all new or renewed private sector tenancies will need to have a minimum rating of E. It will be unlawful for a landlord to rent a property with a lower rating, unless there is an applicable exemption.

 

How do you get an EPC?

Curchods are well accustomed to bringing residential properties to the market for sale and let. We work closely with a number of very efficient, accredited suppliers who can provide you with the full EPC document prior to marketing. Our marketing package can be ready to go within 24 hours and include a floorplan of your property accompanied by professional photography.

For further information on EPC’s or expert advice on all property sales and lettings matters, speak to your local Curchods office.

 

Author: Owen Miles
Partner Curchods

Owen Miles, Partner Curchods Shepperton

Similar Articles

Category: Selling


Tags: Asking Price, property, selling

How To Speed Up Your House Sale With The Right Asking Price

View Full Article
25th September 2020

Category: Selling


Tags: diy, spring clean, top tips

Spring: Proven To Be The Best Time To Prepare Your Home For Sale

View Full Article
31st March 2020

Category: Selling


Tags: downsizing, RETIREMENT

Unlock The Wealth Benefits Of Downsizing Your Home

View Full Article
9th March 2020

Category: Selling


Tags: Discreet Marketing, selling

How To Sell Your House Without Your Neighbours Knowing

View Full Article
21st November 2019

Category: Selling


Tags: house prices, market update, WOKING

There Has Never Been A Better Time To Sell Your Property In Woking

View Full Article
1st August 2019

Category: Property


Tags: Off Market, Private Market, Property Buying Agent, Property Search Agent

The Private Market – What Is It And Does It Really Exist?

View Full Article
11th July 2019

What Curchods can do for you

Multi Award-Winning Marketing

Curchods were crowned winners of Best Estate Agency Marketing in the whole of the UK at the The International Property Awards 2021.

Premium Marketing

We are proud to deal with the sale of more high value homes than many of our competitors. Curchods Prime is our premium marketing service for high value and exclusive residential properties.

5 Star Service

With an average star rating of 5/5 in more than 1000 Google reviews, our friendly yet professional service will give you a smoother and more enjoyable experience of moving home.

Tell Us What You Are Looking For

Not every property we have for sale is listed on our website - we arrange many sales before they ever appear online, exclusively to buyers registered on our database. Registering with us will give you the best chance of finding your dream home. stats

Advice From the Experts

We have ten mortgage advisers with over 100 years experience within the industry who can advise and find the right mortgage for your needs. We can also recommend qualified surveyors, solicitors and additional services to help at every stage of your purchase.

Selling Your Existing Home

If you have a property to sell, we recommend you find a buyer for your existing property before starting your search. Early preparation is key to a successful sale - we can help you establish its market value and find you a buyer.

Licenced & Regulated

We are members of ARLA Propertymark, the UK’s foremost professional body for letting agents which means we are required to operate in a transparent way, providing services which are subject to independent scrutiny, giving you peace of mind at all times.

Premium Marketing

We are proud to deal with the sale of more high value homes than many of our competitors. Curchods Prime is our premium marketing service for high value and exclusive residential properties.

Your Property in Safe hands

One of our locally based in-house property managers will take care of rent collection, maintenance and property inspections on your behalf. We are also one of the few letting agents that include Legal Eviction Expenses cover and Rent Recovery Protection in our standard fees.

Dedicated Local Point of Contact

Our experienced property management team based in branch, are readily available to respond to your enquiries, maintenance issues and any emergencies. We respond quickly and professionally providing guidance and advice throughout your tenancy.

Tell Us What You Are Looking For

Not every property we have to let is listed on our website - we arrange many tenancies before they ever appear online, exclusively to people registered on our database. Registering with us will give you the best chance of finding your dream home.

Licenced & Regulated

We are members of ARLA Propertymark, the UK’s foremost professional body for letting agents which means we are required to operate in a transparent way, providing services which are subject to independent scrutiny, giving you peace of mind at all times.

Buyers
Subscribe to our newsletter

Please confirm you consent to us using cookies to help with your property search and improve your experience on the Curchods website.

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer/mobile device that remember your preferences and what you were searching for. Our cookies don’t collect any personal information. For more information please read our privacy policy, thank you