Our Top Tips
Here at midland energy specialists we have been doing EPCs for over 10 years and through our experience we have come up with some top tips to help you get the best rating possible for your property and to help our assessors whilst they are at the property undertaking the survey.
Pre-EPC top tips
During the inspection, the assessor will need to gather as much information as possible about the property to accurately produce an EPC. The information that is gathered by the assessor has to be evidenced for auditing purposes, this is usually done by taking photographs during inspection. If however the assessor is unable to gain evidence of any work that could affect the energy performance of the building, then documentary evidence such as a certificate would be required for the assessor to include the information into the assessment.
On the right is a list of information that if made available may help the assessor, remember that if the assessor cannot document any evidence for work that has been done (such as internal wall insulation) they cannot include it in their assessment, so a certificate for the completed work can be extremely beneficial for both you and the assessor.
- Cavity wall insulation certificate
- Loft insulation certificate
- Solid wall insulation evidence (photos, certificates, installer information etc)
- Floor insulation evidence (photos, certificates, installer information etc)
- Planning/building control approvals for extensions and loft conversions.
- Boiler make and model details if not visible on the boiler itself.
- Double glazing paperwork to show installation date.
- MCS certificate for solar PV system
- Floor plans that maybe used by the assessor
EPC Key Points
- An EPC is required whenever a building is sold, constructed or rented out.
- When a new home is constructed, it is the responsibility of the builder to provide an EPC when the building is physically completed.
- Landlords and sellers must provide an EPC free of charge to interested parties at the earliest opportunity and must provide a copy of the EPC to the person who takes up the tenancy or the successful buyer.
- In the social or private rental sector, an EPC is not required for any property that was occupied prior to 1 October 2008 and which continues to be occupied by the same tenant. However, landlords may commission EPCs for these dwellings if they wish.
- EPCs are valid for 10 years and can be reused as many times as required within that period. It is not necessary to commission a new EPC each time there is a change of tenant, or the property is sold. Where more than one EPC is produced for a building, the most recent EPC is the valid one.
- The EPC includes recommendations on how to improve then dwelling’s energy efficiency. There is no statutory requirement to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures stated. The EPC also includes information showing which of these measures would be eligible for finance under the Green Deal scheme, if they were to be carried out.
- Estate agents and other third parties must ensure that an EPC has been commissioned before they can market a property for sale or rent. In addition, all advertisements in the commercial media must clearly show the property’s EPC rating, where this is available.
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Address
13 Cedar Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 8PE
Telephone
01827 702418
Northmidlands@indexpi.co.uk