Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
These were first introduced in 2007 and have a 10year life span. The majority of residential properties that are to be sold or let require one of these, and for rental purposes need to be a minimum rating of an E. Proceed with care. You may have bought your property only a few years ago, with a previously produced certificate which is now out of date. You can check its validity by visiting the EPC register online or may consider having a new report if you have made significant energy saving improvements during your ownership. I can normally lodge your report with-in 24 hours of my visit, which will then be displayed on the EPC landmark register for potential tenants and buyers to view.
If you are a landlord, or acting agent, and contact me directly, should your rental property fall below an E rating, I can give you the recommended advice on improvements before commitment to the register. This cost will be slightly more, however, should save you money overall.
Tips on how to improve your rating
During my visit, I can only record what I see. Therefore prior to any appointment it would be helpful to have these measures in place.
1. If your loft is used for storage it would be beneficial for me to see at least 75% of its area to record its insulation depth or view any certificate you may have.
2. Cavity wall / external or internal wall insulation, please have any certification available, or location evidence of drill holes in the mortar for cavity wall insulation.
3. Windows, quite often, there is a date stamp on the double-glazed window frame, or on the space bar between the sealed unit. Any FENSA certificate as to the windows age is always helpful particularly if they have been installed after 2002.
4. Heating system, I will need to gain access to your boiler to establish its make and model. If you have the manual with its gas council number, this would be helpful, and any portable room thermostat / programmer clearly in view.
5. Hot water cylinder, this is something else that needs to be inspected for its insulation depth and any thermostat or any heat pump. Easy access to this would be appreciated.
In short, the EPC has a large focus on modern, energy saving heating systems and insulation, so you more you have, the better.
If you are a landlord, or acting agent, and contact me directly, should your rental property fall below an E rating, I can give you the recommended advice on improvements before commitment to the register. This cost will be slightly more, however, should save you money overall.
Tips on how to improve your rating
During my visit, I can only record what I see. Therefore prior to any appointment it would be helpful to have these measures in place.
1. If your loft is used for storage it would be beneficial for me to see at least 75% of its area to record its insulation depth or view any certificate you may have.
2. Cavity wall / external or internal wall insulation, please have any certification available, or location evidence of drill holes in the mortar for cavity wall insulation.
3. Windows, quite often, there is a date stamp on the double-glazed window frame, or on the space bar between the sealed unit. Any FENSA certificate as to the windows age is always helpful particularly if they have been installed after 2002.
4. Heating system, I will need to gain access to your boiler to establish its make and model. If you have the manual with its gas council number, this would be helpful, and any portable room thermostat / programmer clearly in view.
5. Hot water cylinder, this is something else that needs to be inspected for its insulation depth and any thermostat or any heat pump. Easy access to this would be appreciated.
In short, the EPC has a large focus on modern, energy saving heating systems and insulation, so you more you have, the better.