Energy Performance Certificates
If you are buying, selling or renting a domestic property in the UK you will still require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC gives information on how energy efficient your home is and the report suggests ways in which you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.
Amanda Lowes, Domestic Energy Assessor, comments: “HIPs were introduced back in June 2007 as a way of providing prospective purchasers with more information and to help speed up the buying and selling process. They were widely opposed because of the time required to put the packs together and the cost to the vendor before the property could be marketed. Without the HIP being a requirement, we can now return to first day marketing. So, as soon as you order your EPC, we can market your property for sale.
“As a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor, my role is to assess domestic properties and produce a report suggesting ways in which homes can become more energy efficient”.
A Domestic Energy Assessor will analyse how your home is constructed, insulated, heated and ventilated and the type of fuel being used. Poole Townsend is one of the very few estate agents in the region who have their own qualified in-house Domestic Energy Assessors. This enables the estate agency team to speed up the buying and selling process.
When an EPC is carried out, the Domestic Energy Assessor will compose a report which shows the properties energy ratings and compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.
The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is 'E'. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.
EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
Suggested improvements like installing loft insulation
Possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made and
How the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.
Once a sale has been agreed, a local search is still required to be undertaken, along with a drainage search, but these will no longer be required before you start marketing your home and the cost will not be born by the vendor. Another plus point for consumers is that an EPC is much cheaper than a HIP, making a cost saving of up to £350.
If you wish to order an EPC from Poole Townsend, or have queries regarding either product please contact your local office or call 01229 588111 and one of the Domestic Energy Assessors would be pleased to assist further.
