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If you are a homeowner or landlord in Reading, having an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate is essential for complying with UK law and providing potential tenants with accurate information about your property’s energy efficiency rating. Not only can having an updated EPC help you attract more tenants but it could also eligible you for financial assistance from local councils if they offer incentive schemes for making energy-efficient improvements to your home or rental property.
What is an EPC?
Simply put, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a report that details the energy efficiency of a property. An EPC assessor will visit your property and collect data on the type of insulation you have, the age and efficiency of your boiler, and the number of double-glazed windows you have. This data is then used to calculate your property’s energy efficiency rating, expressed as a letter from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).
An EPC is important because it provides potential buyers or tenants with information about how much it will cost to heat and maintain your property. It also offers recommendations for ways to improve your property’s energy efficiency.
Why You Need an EPC
In accordance with UK law, all homes being rented out or sold must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. This applies to both domestic and commercial properties in Reading. The purpose of this is to ensure that tenants and buyers are aware of the energy efficiency rating of the property they are planning to purchase or rent. Knowing this information allows them to make informed decisions about their investments and also helps them save money on their energy bills over time.
There are other benefits to having an EPC as well. For instance, if you’re looking to sell your property, an EPC can help it stand out from other properties on the market. In addition, an EPC can help you identify cost-effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your property, which can save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Government Regulations
The government has set minimum standards for the energy efficiency of properties that are being sold or rented. These standards are known as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Landlords who do not meet these standards may be subject to financial penalties.
An EPC Can Help You Save Money on Energy Bills
One of the most immediate benefits of having an EPC is that it can help you save money on your energy bills. The certificate provides information about the energy efficiency of your property, as well as recommendations for improving it. Making even small changes to your property, like insulating your walls or installing double-glazed windows, can have a big impact on your energy bills. In fact, you could save up to £300 a year on your energy bills by making energy-efficient improvements to your home!
An EPC Can Increase the Value of Your Property
If you’re thinking of selling or renting your property, an EPC can also help increase its value. Properties with high energy efficiency ratings are more attractive to potential buyers and tenants, and they often sell or rent for more than properties with lower ratings. In addition, properties with EPCs are often exempt from certain fees, like the stamp duty surcharge for properties with poor energy efficiency ratings. So not only can an EPC help you save money on your energy bills, but it can also help you make money when you sell or rent your property!
Preparing for an Assessment
The DEA will need access to the whole property, both inside and out. They’ll need to take a look at the outside of the property to determine the age, construction type, roof type, number of extensions, and detachment. They’ll also examine the brickwork for signs of insulation.
It’s important that the assessor can access the outside of the property, so it is essential that the access isn’t blocked or obstructed. In an empty property, keys should be available for the back or side doors. Pets should be secured for this period of the assessment.