North EPC’s Tel: 0771 4031 758 Home no 01665 604648 email: [email protected]

Web: www.northepcs.co.uk

Energy Performance Certificates Explained

A Guide for Rental Portfolio Holders and Rental Management Companies

About us • We are a Local company based in Alnwick serving the whole of Northumberland. Our EPCs are completed by fully accredited and insured Domestic Energy Assessor.

• The assessments and subsequent reports are prepared by myself and I have a wealth of local experience serving the people of Northumberland.

• • • Our Aims Confirm an appointment within 24 hrs of instruction or the next working day Provide the Energy Performance Certificate within three days of the inspection To work with Portfolio Holders,Rentals Management Companies.solicitors, estate agents and other EPC stakeholders ,in a professional efficient manner

•

Key Points

The governments intention is to bring EPCs for rented properties into force on the 1st of October, 2008. • The EPC is an EEC directive that binds the government to implementation, so in essence in October 2008 the EPC will become mandatory for rented property. • The existing time limit for an EPC is currently 10 years in respect of rented properties and 12 months for the sales of residential properties • Property management companies registered social landlords and other landlords will have to manage this requirement.

• There will be a £200 fine for non compliance

Domestic Energy Performance Certificates • • • • • • Introduced as part of EU Directive to help combat climate change Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England & Wales) Regulations 2007 All landlords will be required by law to provide an EPC for all buildings or parts of buildings when they are rented out from 1 st October 2008 Domestic EPC consists of: ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Energy efficiency rating on a scale from A to G Environmental impact rating on a scale from A to G Details of the property features Recommendations for improvements EPCs can only be produced by Domestic Energy Assessors that are fully qualified and accredited by an authorised government scheme Currently valid for 10 years

ExampleDomestic EPC Potential energy efficiency rating Current energy efficiency rating Potential environmental impact rating Current environmental impact rating Table showing current and potential energy usage, energy cost and CO 2 emissions based on standardised occupancy

Example Domestic EPC Recommendations – lower cost (under £500) – details potential savings and potential new rating Recommendations – higher cost (over £500) – details potential savings and potential new rating Further recommended measures to achieve even higher standards

The Energy Assessment • • • A visual inspection of internal and external features of the property ▫ Size and construction type ▫ Insulation present – walls and roof space ▫ Heating and lighting systems ▫ Glazing Takes between 45 and 60 minutes depending on property size and construction Data collection including: ▫ Notes ▫ Photographs ▫ Measurements

Who needs an EPC?

• • • The EPC is a mandatory component of the Home Information Pack, which is required for most domestic property that is marketed for sale Current exclusions: ▫ ▫ No marketing involved e.g. sale to family members Seasonal and holiday accommodation ▫ ▫ Mixed sales e.g. shop with flat Right to buy and similar sales ▫ ▫ Portfolio of properties Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession ▫ Unsafe properties and those to be demolished From 1 st EPC October 2008, all properties being sold or rented will require an

Legal obligations • • • • • From 1 st October, the landlord becomes responsible for ensuring a valid EPC is made available free of charge to any prospective new tenants at the earliest opportunity and no later than: ▫ When any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received ▫ When a viewing is conducted ▫ If neither of these occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let An EPC does not have to be made available if: ▫ The landlord believes the prospective tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property ▫ The landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective tenant An EPC is not required when a renewal of existing tenancy occurs Once an EPC is obtained for a property, a new one is not required on subsequent changes of tenant for the period that the certificate is valid Fines for non-compliance charged at £200 per offence

EPCs for commercial properties • • • • • • Introduced as part of the same legislation Similar format to domestic EPCs with A to G rating Can only be provided by a suitably qualified and accredited Non-Domestic Energy Assessor ▫ Different levels of qualifications reflecting knowledge required for different levels of building complexity  Level 3 – simple existing non-dwellings with commonly occurring characteristics (using SBEM)  Level 4 – larger buildings with more complex distributed air conditioning units and new build non dwellings (using SBEM)  Level 5 – Large highly complex buildings modelled using Dynamic Simulation Model Implementation schedule for commercial properties ▫ ▫ 06/04/08 – floor area greater than 10,000m 2 01/07/08 – floor area greater than 2,500m 2 ▫ 01/10/08 – all remaining buildings Properties with a total useful area of 50m 2 are exempt Non-compliance can result in fines of 12.5% of the rateable value of the building

Why choose us

?

Because we offer……………….

• Local Service • Local Knowledge • Experience • Reliability • Competitive Pricing

Contact Information

North Epc’s

EPC reports Tel:0771 4031 758 Home no 01665 604648 Email [email protected]

Web: www.northepcs.co.uk