What is an EPC and Do I Need one to Sell my Home?

What is an EPC?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was first introduced in the UK in 2007, as part of the implementation of the European Union's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The directive required member states to introduce a system for rating the energy performance of buildings, in order to promote the improvement of energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions in the building sector.

The UK government introduced the EPC as a means of providing property owners and tenants with information about the energy efficiency of buildings.  The certificate is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient. The EPC provides information on how much energy a property consumes and the cost of running it, as well as recommendations for improvements that could reduce energy bills, carbon emissions and increase the energy efficiency of the building.

Why is an EPC important for property sellers?

If you are a property seller, landlord or Tennant, getting an EPC is an important part of the sales process. In addition to providing valuable information, it is also a legal requirement.  It must be provided by the seller or landlord of a property to any prospective buyer or tenant. but it can also help you to sell your property more quickly and for a higher price.

Buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient homes that will be cheaper to run and have a lower carbon footprint.  Having a good EPC rating can make your property more attractive to them. It will help to highlight potential lower energy bills and the cost savings of a property which may help to convince them to make you an offer for your house for sale.

So, if you want to sell your house fast ensure your house has good energy efficiency. It can be used as a strong selling point for the environmental, financial and energy conscious.

How to get an EPC certificate for your property?

To get an EPC, you will need to hire an accredited energy assessor who will visit your property to carry out an inspection. They will need access to all areas of the property, including the loft, cellar, and any outbuildings. The inspection will take around an hour to complete, and the assessor will ask you questions about the property's energy usage and heating systems.

Once the inspection is complete, the assessor will produce an EPC that rates your property's energy efficiency on a scale from A to G. The report will also include recommendations for improvements that could make your property more energy-efficient, such as installing loft insulation, upgrading the heating system, or replacing windows and doors.

How long does an EPC last?

An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue, after which it will need to be renewed. This means that if you have already obtained an EPC for your property, you can reuse it for up to 10 years as long as there have not been any significant changes to the property's energy efficiency during that time.

However, if you have made energy efficiency improvements to your property since the EPC was issued, you may want to consider having the property reassessed to obtain a new, updated EPC. This can help to reflect the improvements made and potentially increase the property's energy efficiency rating, attractiveness to potential buyers, tenants and the property’s value.

How do I find an accredited energy assessor?

Accredited energy assessors can be found through various channels, such as online directories, trade associations, and through recommendations from estate agents or property professionals.

One way to find an accredited energy assessor is to search for them on the government's register of accredited energy assessors, which can be found on the official government website. The register provides a list of accredited assessors who have been trained and certified to carry out energy assessments in your local area, along with their contact details and the type of assessments they are qualified to carry out.

The cost of an EPC assessment can vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the property, the complexity of the heating system, and the level of detail required in the report. It is important to obtain quotes from several assessors to ensure that you are getting a fair price. The cost of an EPC assessment is typically in the range of £50-£120, but prices may vary depending on the assessor and the location of the property.

What information does an EPC contain?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information about the energy efficiency of a property. The following is a list of the information that an EPC contains:

1. A unique reference number: This is a reference number that is used to identify the EPC.
2. The address of the property: This is the address of the property that the EPC relates to.
3. An energy efficiency rating: This is a rating of the property's energy efficiency, on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
4. A recommendation report: This report provides recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the property, which can help to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
5. Estimated energy costs: This provides an estimate of the annual energy costs for the property, based on its current energy efficiency rating.
6. Details of the energy assessor: This includes the name, accreditation number, and contact details of the energy assessor who carried out the assessment.
7. Details of the property's construction: This includes information about the age of the property, its construction materials, and the type of glazing used.
8. Details of the heating and hot water systems: This includes information about the type of heating and hot water systems in the property, including the fuel source and efficiency rating.
9. Details of any renewable energy systems: This includes information about any renewable energy systems that are installed in the property, such as solar panels.
10. An indication of the property's carbon emissions: This provides an indication of the amount of carbon emissions produced by the property, based on its energy efficiency rating.

Where can I find my Energy Performance Certificate?

You can visit the Government's EPC register website and enter your property's postcode. You will then be able to see any existing EPCs for your property. If your property has had multiple EPCs carried out, you will be able to see all of the available certificates.

If you have made significant changes to your property since the EPC was carried out, such as adding an extension or making major renovations, the EPC may no longer be accurate and you may need to have a new assessment carried out

What do I do if my EPC rating is low?

If you are a landlord and your property has an EPC rating of F or G, you may not be able to rent it out legally. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations, which came into force in 2018, require that all rental properties in England and Wales have a minimum EPC rating of E. This means that if your property has an EPC rating of F or G, you will need to make improvements to the property to raise its rating to at least an E, before you can legally rent it out.

Under the current rules the amount landlords need to spend in order to get properties up to EPC band E is £3,500.  But under the proposed changes this threshold would increase to £10,000.

If you are a homeowner, struggling to sell your house through traditional channels as buyers have been put off by the higher energy bills, the cost of making energy efficient improvements and the negative impact on the environment then you may want to consider contacting a cash house buyer such as Gaffsy for a free cash offer today. At Gaffsy we offer a fast and hassle-free way to sell your property and offer advice and guidance throughout the process. If you are a Landlord cannot rent out your low EPC rated property and do not want to spend the money required to make your property suitable for rental then contact Gaffsy.  We buy properties regardless of their condition or EPC rating, this means that if your property has a low EPC rating, or if it requires energy efficiency improvements, you can still sell your house quickly for cash to Gaffsy without having to make any costly upgrades or repairs. Contact Gaffsy for a no-obligation, cash offer today and we also cover all your