EPC is an acronym for Energy Performance Certicate, and yes, if you’re selling or letting a property in England and Wales then you need one, unless the property is:
- Listed (a general rule but not definitive so check for individual properties)
- Used for less than 4 months a year
- To be demolished
- Stond-alone with less than 50sqm of useful floor space, or
- A place of worship
EPC’s rank properties in terms of energy efficiency, from A to G – A being the most energy efficient. They also include information about the property’s energy use and costs, along with recommendations on how to improve it, showing the likely cost and savings of each measure.
EPC’s have been a legal requirement since 2008 and are valid for 10 years. If you’re selling or letting, you could be fined up to £5,000 if you don’t have one and under new government proposals, this would increase to £30,000 from 2025.
Estate and lettings agencies will arrange the EPC for you as they can’t market a property without it, but you can find a local accredited Domestic Energy Assessor and book an appointment directly if you so wish. Depending on the property, it will cost between £60 and £120.
The Energy Assessor will spend around an hour at the property and will consider its size, the type and amount of insulation that’s used, the heating system, windows, and lighting. You should get the report within a week.
Rental properties must have a minimum E rating, unless exemptions apply, but proposals will require a minimum of C for all new tenancies by 2025, and for all rental properties by 2028, where practical, cost-effective, and affordable.
For homeowners, there are currently no minimum rating requirements, but the lower the rating, the higher the energy bills, so as a buyer, it’s an important consideration. However, the government wants all homes to achieve at an EPC rating of least C by 2035 – again, where practical, cost-effective, and affordable.
If you’d like to arrange an EPC, or if you have any more questions, just give us a call!
