Since October 2008, advertising a standalone structure greater than 50 square metres without a valid Energy Performance Certificate (epc) has been forbidden under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. For potential buyers and tenants, you must get an EPC before putting your house on the market. They’re only good for 10 years if there haven’t been any major structural alterations during that time.
Please check the expiry date of your property’s EPC as the 10-year anniversary of the Act approaches to ensure that you are still in compliance.
For those who don’t know, what is an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)?
On a scale of A to G, the EPC measures a building’s energy efficiency, with A being the most efficient and G being the least (least efficient). Data regarding a property’s energy use and typical costs, as well as advice on how to save money are included.
A certified Energy Assessor will come to your house to conduct a visual inspection in order to complete an EPC. In order to calculate the home’s EPC score, an Energy Assessor will perform a measured survey and take photos of the house. These photos will record various components of the property, such as the windows, lighting, heating, and radiators.
Do these people have any significance?
A home’s energy efficiency may be determined by an EPC, which is why it’s so important to landlords and prospective buyers/tenants. Having a poor energy rating may be a deal breaker for potential purchasers or tenants since they will be aware that the house’s energy costs may be too costly to maintain. A punishment of up to £5,000 is possible if your EPC is fraudulent.
Legislation Changes
It is now against the law to rent out a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) grade of F or G after new legislation known as Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) went into effect in April 2018.
If no changes have been made to the property, it may be considered to be below the minimum criterion upon re-assessment under the new standards based on our prior experience that buildings with an EPC rating are similarly affected by the MEPS legislation. Due to changes made to how EPCs are calculated after EPC legislation was enacted in 2008, this is why.
A copy of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been necessary since a few years ago for anybody selling their home to give to the buyer. Potential buyers may see how energy efficient the property is right now and whether or not any improvements, such the installation of insulation, are needed. However, the EPC should only be used as a reference when assessing the energy efficiency of a home’s construction.
Last Words
The property is classified according to its energy efficiency, with A being the most efficient and so on. Along with the property’s rating and usage data, the certificate includes assessment recommendations on how to improve the property’s energy efficiency and reduce its electricity costs even more. Scotland residents may be aware with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as part of a more full energy assessment known as a ‘home report’, which includes a property survey and questionnaire.
