An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required as part of a European Directive if you want to sell or rent your home. A simple sliding scale with the letter "A" denoting the most efficient and "G" denoting the least efficient will be used by EPCs to offer information on a building's energy efficiency. The EPC will also display the Environment Impact Rating in addition to the Energy Efficiency Rating (which is related to operating expenses) (relating to the carbon dioxide emissions).
Estate agents charge commission to carry out EPC in London?
While it is incredibly handy for your estate agent to arrange for the EPC for your house, they regrettably always charge commission—often a lot of it. As a result, the cost of an EPC may go from £40 to £50 to £150 to £200.
Any registered energy assessor can do an EPC; you can find your energy assessor and book your EPC from the list by clicking below.
What is an EPC certificate?
EPC certifications are records that provide details about a building’s energy use and efficiency over time. They are produced by qualified assessors utilising information gathered through firsthand measurements after they have examined the property that falls within their purview.
The outcomes are presented in many areas, with rankings based on how well or inadequately the home uses its energy resources. These ratings are then combined to provide a final grade that runs from A to G. (with A being the most efficient).
You must make sure that you have installed environmentally friendly appliances, such as condensing boilers for your hot water and heating systems, in order to receive this grade. Although these appliances cost more up front than conventional boilers, you will end up paying less overall since they use less energy.
How many properties are potentially affected?
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) estimates that in 2019, landlords had to spend an average of £1,200 to upgrade 290,000 rental homes with an F- or G- rating before they could list them for new leases. This was around 6% of the whole domestic market, which is a significant decline from the mid-1990s and a modest decline from a few years ago. The proportion of privately leased properties with the poorest energy efficiency ratings of F- or G- has decreased from 39% in 1996 to 7% in 2016, according to RLA Policy Director David Smith.
Avoid estate agents high EPC costs – use a local energy assessor!
Yes, your estate agent can help you with an EPC, but it is considerably more cost-effective to work directly with an assessor (or an EPC firm like ours!). Additionally, the survey will probably be conducted earlier than if it were organised by a third party. Getting an estate agent to arrange for an EPC could be handy, but you definitely pay for the luxury, especially when locating a local assessor is so simple! So there you have it, one extra phone call and you might save yourself over £100!
