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Frequently Asked Questions

Regulations (from the Department of Communities & Local Government)

 Q: I want to sell my house when do I need to get an EPC?

A: To put your house on the market you nedd to have ordered an EPC and either paid for or made arrangement to pay for it before you place your house on the market. The EPC then needs to be supplied and available within 28 days of the property first being marketed. The rules also state the estate agent need to incorporate the EPC graph in their marketing material, whether that is paper based or on the internet. That usually means they want it as soon as you commission them to sell or rent your property.

Q: When should an estate agent show the EPC to a prospective buyer?
At the earliest opportunity.
A: Regulation 5(2) of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) regulations requires the relevant person to make the EPC available to a prospective buyer at the 'earliest opportunity'. Therefore an agent who has an EPC in his possession is under a duty to inform a prospective buyer who shows an interest in the property that the EPC (at least) is available for inspection. Henc the requirement to have it in their marketing material.

 Q: I have an existing EPC for my property - is it still valid? 

A: Existing EPCs are now valid for 10 years from their certificate date, unless any changes are made to the heating, lighting or insulation in the property, or extensions or other building alterations are made or added.

Q: How long does an EPC assessment take?

A: Around 30mins to 1 hour for a 3-bed house. Complex properties with one or more extensions or lots of bay windows can take longer.

 
Q: What happens when an assessor visits? 

A: The assessor will measure the floor area of the buidling (externally for houses, internally for flats) and also ceiling heights. He will check and note the type of heating systems and hot water systems used in the property, along with meters, glazing, loft insulation and cavity wall insultaion if present. Access to all rooms is required to log information on radiators, glazing and lighting. The loft area is checked for insulation. Photographs are taken during the assessment purely to support site note statements and are not released with the EPC.

Q: Will my current spending on energy bills be taken into account? 

A: The energy bill calculations on the EPC are based on standardised living conditions and not on the individual owner's lifestyle. This allows benchmark comparisons between properties of a similar type.

Q: Will I invalidate the EPC if I carry out changes to the property? 

A: No. But we would strongly recommend that you commission another assessment to produce a more accurate EPC for potential buyers or renters.

 
Q: Will you need to lift floorboards?

A: The assessment is based on a visual inspection only and therefore there is no need to remove or move fixtures. Access will be needed to all rooms including the loft and any cellar as well as access to the boiler, heating controls, hot-water storage and gas/electric meters.

 
Q: I know I have loft insulation but it is hidden under boards?

A: Every reasonable effort is made to identify where insulation is installed including cavities and loft (see restriction of visual assessment above). Where no access is possible it will be necessary for the owner to provide an installation certificate or guarantee/warrantee as evidence. If we have to state "unknown" then the assessment will be based on what was expected to be there when the property was built.

 Q: I want to check the energy efficiency rating of my house but I am not looking to sell yet? 

A: It is possible to arrange an EPC at any time and if you are not moving you will benefit from finding out how good your home is in terms of generating and retaining the heat energy used and what improvements could be made to reduce your energy bills.

Q: How can I check if an Energy Assessor is accredited? 

A: Use the following link DEA Register and type in either the accreditation number or the name details. Additionally all accredited DEA's are CRB checked.

Q: Are you fully insured? 

A: Yes. All accredited energy assessors are required to carry Public Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.