Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) – property for sale

EPC – New Government rules from 21 May 2010 

The Seller (or the person acting on behalf of the seller) must ensure that an EPC has been ordered before marketing the property if no EPC is already available. Reasonable efforts must be made to provide the EPC within 28 days

An EPC has been ordered when a Domestic Energy Assessor has been instructed to carry it out and the EPC has either been paid for or has a commitment to pay for it

There are fixed penalties where somebody fails in the duty bestowed on them by the new regulations. Trading Standards Officers will enforce a Penalty of £200 if the EPC is not available or has not been ordered

EPCs for domestic properties now last for 10 years

The certificate includes an asset rating and appears similar to the ones seen on white goods such as fridges and washing with a rating from 'A' to 'G', with 'A' being the highest and indicating that the property will benefit from corresponding lower energy bills.

The certificate also provides information on the property's energy efficiency, carbon emissions and an estimate of annual running costs of fuel and lighting. This will assist potential owners to be able to consider energy efficiency and importantly heating and lighting costs when purchasing a new property.

It will also provide a list of measures that will improve the energy efficiency and financial estimates of the resulting energy savings.

Why should you be concerned?

When you are considering purchasing a property you will now easily be able to see how environmentally friendly and energy efficient it is.

The recommendations from the EPC could enable you to negotiate either a better price for the property or persuade the vendor to action the recommendations and improve the energy efficiency at the vendor's cost.

Download a sample Energy Performance Certificate

Further details about EPCs from the official Government website

Request competitive pricing or further information