Question 1

Residential EPC validation

Accepted Answer

Your domestic EPC will last for 10 years – the same as a commercial EPC. Unless you make significant changes to your property, you will not need another one, and likewise, if you have had an assessment done in the last 10 years and haven’t made any changes to your home, you don’t need a new one.

Question 2

Residential EPC Exemption

Accepted Answer

Are there any exemptions?
Some homes don’t need to have an Energy Performance Certificate according to law. These are:

Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years
Stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor space of less than 50m2
Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy
Some buildings that are due to be demolished
Holiday accommodation that is rented out for less than 4 months per year or is let under a licence to occupy
Listed buildings – get advice from your local authority conservation officer if energy efficiency work would alter the building’s character
Residential buildings which are intended to be used for less than 4 months a year
We recommend that if you think that your house is exempt from the EPC requirement, you check with a specialist to ensure that you are covered.

Question 3

Residential EPC Penalty

Accepted Answer

Are there penalties for not getting a Certificate?
The law is very clear on its requirement for domestic EPCs. The responsibility is on the current owner to make sure that they have a residential EPC if they are selling or renting out the property.
If the property is a dwelling, the fine for not having an EPC is £200.
You can legally market your property once that you have booked your EPC, even if you haven’t had it yet. Proof that you have booked your assessment is enough.

Question 4

Residential EPC Cost

Accepted Answer

How much does a Residential EPC cost?
Our domestic EPC prices vary according to the size of your property, but they start from only £50. We offer competitive prices to home owners and a free, no obligation quote.

Question 5

How can I improve my property's energy rating?

Accepted Answer

You can improve your property's energy rating by implementing various energy-saving measures such as upgrading insulation, installing energy-efficient windows, and using a more efficient heating system. The recommendations provided in the EPC can guide you on the most effective improvements to make.

Question 6

Commercial EPC Benefits

Accepted Answer

Obtaining an energy performance certificate is a legal requirement in the UK. However, obtaining an EPC certificate can be beneficial for the owner.
An EPC is easy to grasp at a glance and will give you recommendations on how to improve the building’s energy efficiency. This will allow any prospective buyers or tenants to see (and action) anything that needs to be done in the future to make it more energy efficient.
Once your EPC has been completed and you have your grading, it will last for 10 years. This is the same as a domestic EPC. It will be unique to your specific address and will not need to be carried out again unless you make significant changes to the building.

Question 7

Commercial EPC Validity

Accepted Answer

How long does a Commercial EPC last?
Once your  commercial EPC has been done, it will last for 10 years . It will be unique to your specific address and will not need to be carried out again unless you make significant changes to the building.

Question 8

Commercial EPC Penalties

Accepted Answer

Are there penalties for not getting a Certificate?
If you fail to obtain a commercial EPC, you could be legible to pay a fine of between £500 and £5000.
In most cases, this fine is 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, or at a default value of £750 when this cannot be calculated. The penalty amount is capped at £5000.
You can legally market the commercial building once that you have booked your EPC, even if you don’t have it yet. Proof that you have booked your assessment is sufficient.

Question 9

EPC Assessor's Visit to your property

Accepted Answer

What happens during the assessor’s visit?
The amount of time that our energy assessor will be at your commercial property depends on how big it is, and the degree of access that they have to the building.
The energy assessor will look at a number of factors in the building, including:
The building area size
Lighting
Cavity wall and loft insulation
Hot water and central heating systems
Energy efficiency of the windows
Ventilation

Question 10

Commercial EPC Cost

Accepted Answer

Hoe much does commercial EPC cost?

Our commercial EPC prices vary according to the size of the property, but they start from only £100 (excluding VAT). We offer competitive prices and a free, no-obligation quote.

Question 11

How quickly can I get an EPC from INSTANT EPC?

Accepted Answer

At INSTANT EPC, we understand the importance of timely and reliable service. That's why we offer same-day Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for both residential and commercial properties. Once you schedule an appointment, our certified surveyors will conduct an in-depth assessment and deliver your EPC on the very same day. This expedited service ensures that you can proceed with your property plans without unnecessary delays. Our commitment to efficiency and accuracy makes us the ideal choice for all your EPC needs.

Question 12

How Can I book an EPC?

Accepted Answer

It is such an easy process to book an EPC inspection through us. You can simply visit our website and click on the "Get A Quote" Which will ask you to complete a brief and straightforward Form that will provide you a quote withing an hour. should you wish to speak to someone, you can call us direct on 02082260345, 07999110110 in business hours. You can also leave a message in chat box or mobile number 24/7.

Question 13

Who Requires an EPC?

Accepted Answer

As of the 21st May 2010, if you decide to place your property on the market for sale or rent in the UK you will need to purchase an EPC. This includes both residential and commercial properties. Since April 2018 it is also a legal requirement for the EPC rating to be a minimum of an 'E' rating in order for that property to be let to a tenant.

Question 14

EPC Rating Or The A To G Scale

Accepted Answer

Energy Performance Certificate use a scale of A to G. A being the most energy efficient home, with lower fuel bills and G is the least energy efficient with higher energy bills. The same scale is used to define the environmental impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of a home. Most properties in Britain are Band D or E.

Question 15

Can an EPC Fail?

Accepted Answer

When an EPC has been completed the property will get a rating between A and G. If you are selling the property then you cannot get a fail.
Since April 2018 it has been a legal requirement for the EPC rating to be at least an E rating if you are renting the property to a tenant (unless you have a suitable exemption). For more information on this please call 02082260345.

Question 16

Can I Rent my property without an EPC?

Accepted Answer

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a crucial component for legally renting out your property. In the UK, it is a mandatory requirement to have an EPC with a minimum rating of E before you can market your property for rent. This applies to both residential and commercial properties. The EPC provides potential tenants with an understanding of the energy efficiency of the property and helps them estimate utility costs. At INSTANT EPC, we specialize in providing fast and reliable EPC services, often delivering your certificate on the same day at the lowest price. Failing to obtain an EPC before renting out your property can result in significant fines, so it's essential to ensure compliance by securing an EPC through a trusted provider like INSTANT EPC.

Question 17

What is the lowest acceptable EPC rating?

Accepted Answer

"E"
From 1 April 2018, any tenancy, renewal or extension, in order to be rented, the building must have a minimum energy rating of "E". The rating is found on the Energy Performance Certificate for the building from 1 April 2020, the minim level "E" applies to all tenancies'- including existing.

Question 18

How long does an EPC check take?

Accepted Answer

Domestic assessments take on average between 30-40 minutes. commercial assessments usually take a minimum of 45 minutes, but can take longer depending on the size and nature of the property.

Question 19

Does EPC affect bills?

Accepted Answer

EPC provides documentary evidence of how much it costs to heat, light and provide hot water. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be.

Question 20

What is required EPC rating From 2029

Accepted Answer

From 2029, under the current proposals all newly rented properties will be required to have an EPC rating of C or above, Currently properties only require an EPC rating of E or above. Existing tenancies will have until 2032 to comply with the new rule changes.

Question 21

Can you sell a property with an EPC rating of F?

Accepted Answer

The energy efficiency (private rented property) (England and Wales ) Regulations 2015, introduced in phases from 2015, make it unlawful to sell, let or build properties with an energy performance rating of F or G.

Question 22

What does an EPC show, and why does your property need one?

Accepted Answer

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy efficient your property is, using a rating from A to G. It helps you understand energy use, likely running costs, and where you can improve. If you are selling or letting a property, you usually need a valid EPC before you market it. This applies to both residential and commercial properties.

Question 23

How do you book an EPC with INSTANT EPC?

Accepted Answer

You can book online by filling in our EPC quote form with your property details. If you prefer, you can call us on 07999110110. We’ll help you arrange the earliest available appointment, and you only pay after the survey is done.

Question 24

How do I pay for my EPC?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to pay in advance. We only take payment after the survey is complete. You can pay by credit card or Apple Pay, which keeps the process quick and simple.

Question 25

Which areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We provide EPC assessments across England. If you need a same-day EPC, we will always try to offer the earliest appointment available in your area.

Question 26

Do I need to be at the property during the EPC assessment?

Accepted Answer

It helps if someone is there to let the assessor in and give access to key areas such as the loft, boiler and meters. That person can be the owner, tenant or letting agent.

Question 27

What should I do before the assessor arrives?

Accepted Answer

Please make sure the assessor can get into all required areas, including the loft, boiler cupboard and meter locations. Having the property ready helps the visit go smoothly and keeps the assessment quick.

Question 28

Are your EPC assessors fully accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our assessors are fully accredited and experienced, so you get a reliable EPC carried out by a qualified professional.

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