Domestic Energy Performance Certificates
Who needs one?
Anyone who is required to have a Home Information Pack to enable them to market their property for sale. The EPC is a compulsory part of a Home Information Pack.
From 1st October 2008, EPCs will be required when domestic properties are built, sold or rented. This means that sellers will require them for private sales and landlords and will need to provide them to prospective tenants.
What is it?
The EPC is a certificate that shows the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a property. The property is given a rating which is shown on a colour bar chart similar to that seen on a new fridge or freezer (see image below). The average rating of a newly built property is also shown as comparison along with the potential rating if the recommended measures are implemented.
The EPC also includes
details of energy saving measures that can be taken to reduce household bills.
See an example of a completed EPC here and find out more about EPCs on the Department of Communities and Local Government website.
An EPC is currently valid for 10 years, but if part of a Home Information Pack, it must not be older than 12 months when the property is first marketed.
How do you get one?
Only an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) is authorised to produce EPCs. All accredited DEA should be qualified, insured & CRB checked.
All our DEAs are accredited and members of the Institute of Home Inspection and the Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors.
What you can expect from us
Upon instruction we will arrange a suitable appointment with you for one of our DEAs to inspect your property. We will provide you with guidance notes detailing things you should do to help the assessor to perform the inspection quickly and accurately e.g. ensure all areas are accessible.
An inspection
will normally take between 45 and 60 minutes and during this time the
DEA will take notes on features such as the age and construction type of
the property, age and type of windows, type of heating and hot water system
along will wall and roof insulation. They will also take measurements and
photographs and review any documents you may have provided e.g. window
certificates.
Following the inspection the DEA will produce the EPC for your property, lodge it on the government's national database and send a copy to you.
What are your legal responsibilities?
The EPC and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by the seller or a landlord to a prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and not later than:
- when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective buyer; or
- when a viewing is conducted; or
- if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.
Need more information?
Telephone us on 0151 513 9797 or email us at admin@epcwirral.co.uk.