EPC Certificates
A brief guide for homeowners and landlords
Previously on the JC Electrical UK blog, we covered a few of the myths surrounding electricians and electrical regulations; including a brief section on EPC requirements for landlords.
This week, we’re diving deeper into EPC certificates and the regulations surrounding them. Does your home or rental property need an EPC?
Let’s find out…
What are EPCs?
EPC stands for ‘energy performance certificate’, which is essentially a measurement of a property’s energy efficiency.
It rates this energy efficiency on a scale from A to G; with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least.
The certificate also includes:
- An estimate of the average heating, hot water and electricity costs for the property
- Information on the property’s expected carbon footprint
- Any recommendations for improvements that could raise your rating and/or reduce your bills and carbon emissions
How do I get an EPC for my home or rental property?
You’ll need to arrange an energy assessment with an accredited energy assessor, who will review your property’s age, size, insulation, heating type and other features which might affect its energy efficiency.
They’ll then plug all this info into a calculator tool, which works out the energy performance certificate rating and energy cost estimates.
Be aware that the assessor will need to access every room in your property (possibly including loft spaces).
Why are EPC certificates important?
Naturally, potential buyers and tenants will want to know if they can afford the utility bills before making an offer. Many eco-conscious individuals will also be concerned about the potential emissions that running the property will create.
Vendors and landlords have a legal duty to share this information. If you can’t provide a valid EPC when selling your property, or if your rental property doesn’t meet the minimum rating requirement (more on this later), you could face financial penalties.
How long does an EPC last?
Each newly issued energy performance certificate is valid for a period of ten years.
Which properties need an EPC?
An up-to-date energy performance certificate is required whenever a property is sold or rented out. This EPC is then made available to potential buyers/tenants; you’ll usually see a copy of the EPC included on property listings online and in estate agencies’ windows.
As long as your latest energy performance certificate was issued within the last ten years, it’s valid. You don’t need a new EPC if your last one has expired unless you’re putting the property up on the market for sale or rent.
New builds and non-domestic properties which have been converted into domestic dwellings also need an EPC. The assessment for construction properties is slightly different, and should be carried out by an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (or OCDEA).
What are the EPC rating requirements for landlords?
Currently, rental properties in the UK require an up-to-date EPC rating of ‘E’ or above before they can be let to new tenants; but this could be set to change in the next few years.
Under current proposals, landlords may be required to meet a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’ instead by 2025. These changes are being proposed to help the UK meet its climate goals.
What if I can’t afford to improve my rental property to the minimum standard?
Currently, landlords are not required to spend more than £3,500 to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
This means if you’ve already spent £3,500 or more on improvements, but you still don’t meet the minimum rating on a subsequent energy performance assessment, you can apply for an ‘all improvements made’ exemption.
The aforementioned ‘C’ rating proposals could see this spending cap raised to £10,000; but we’ll have to wait and see.
What if I don’t provide a valid EPC on my rental property?
If you let out a property that falls below the minimum EPC rating, you could face a fine of up to £5,000. The maximum fine could rise to £30,000 in 2025 under the new proposals.
I’m planning to upgrade my property’s energy efficiency.
Should I get a new EPC before or after this?
It’s best to carry out a new EPC after you’ve made improvements. The EPC only assesses the current condition of your home or rental property, not any future changes.
Of course, there’s no rush to arrange the new EPC unless you’re putting it up for sale or rent in the immediate future.
Find an energy certificate
Did you know you can find an energy certificate for a property in England, Wales or Northern Ireland using the Government website? This includes homes, business properties and public buildings.
This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
There’s a different service to find an energy certificate for properties in Scotland.
Visit the GOV.UK website
JC Electrical UK can provide EPC certificate assessments in West London via our trusted energy assessor partners; plus, our own expert electrical contractors can provide energy-efficient smart lighting installation and other improvements to help you tackle your EPC recommendations.
Give us a call on 0208 839 9561 or email info@jcelectric.co.uk to discuss your requirements today.
More than just a London based electrician
With JC Electrical (UK) Ltd, electrical contractors in London you can expect a professional service tailored to your individual needs. Not only do we offer Testing Maintenance, & Certification and test and inspection. We also provide commercial Emergency callouts.
We can supply, install, test and repair everything from safety and security systems to smart lighting, specialist Lighting and emergency lighting , air conditioning and bespoke commercial solutions including network cabling, fire alarms and door entry & access control installers.
Our professional NICEIC-approved electricians can install modern, reliable EV charger (Electric vehicle charging) points across West London and the rest of the capital.
Our services for homeowners include
Audio Visual, Burglar Alarm / Home security installations, home Smart Lighting and Solar Panel Installation.
Additional reading
Our site also includes some really great articles and answers some faqs.
For more details, or for a free quote, call JC Electrical (UK) Ltd on 0208 839 9561 today or get in touch via our contact form.
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