Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) FAQ
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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) FAQ
I am about to switch estage agents, what happens to my EPC? I have no paperwork as the current EA organised it. Do I need to ask for this or is it regular practice for it to be passed on to the vendor when a contract is terminated?
ANSWER 1:
EPC is a document that you have paid for so it should be handed to you if you change estate agents. If they don't, but you know who carried out the service, then you can ask them for a copy. Normal practice is that your new estate agent will ask for the EPC from the previous EA and it is always sent through.
I am selling a property and have the EPC from the previous owner, is this still valid for me to use when selling?
ANSWER 1:
The EPC is valid for ten years so you can use the EPC from the previous owner unless ten years have elapsed then you'll have to get a new one.
What is the penality for not having an energy performance certificate (EPC)?
ANSWER 1:
The local weights and measures authority, which will be the trading standards department for the area, is responsible for enforcing the regulations that require EPCs to be produced for rented dwellings. An authorised trading standards officer (tso) has powers to ask a landlord who appears to be or to have been under a duty in the regulations to produce for inspection an EPC
and recommendation report if the tso suspects that an offence has been committed. This might occur, for example, if a prospective tenant complains that they have not been given access to a copy of the EPC, or if the tenant does not receive the EPC when he takes up the tenancy.
if the landlord has failed to provide an EPC to a tenant, or fails to show an EPC to an enforcement officer when asked, trading standards can issue a notice with a penalty charge of £200 per dwelling. In addition to paying the penalty notice, the landlord will still have to provide an EPC to the person who has become the tenant.
Can a landlord charge the tenant for the EPC?
ANSWER 1:
Nope. A landlord can't charge the tenant for it. However, landlords are allowed to charge tenants who have already received the EPC if they require another copy.
Do I need an EPC if I have a lodger?
ANSWER 1:
Nope. Letting a room does not constitute a rental of a building, therefore an EPC is not required.
Is it always the building owner who is responsible for producing the EPC?
ANSWER 1:
Where a tenant sub-lets a dwelling, the responsibility to make an EPC available lies with the sub-leaseholder.
Can I update my EPC without the need to commission a new survey? For example, if a replacement boiler is fitted
ANSWER 1:
Whoever issued you the EPC needs to be satisfied that it accurately reflects the energy performance of the certificate of the property. The assessor may be satisfied through means other than a full survey, but you need to make sure.
Where can I find an energy assessor so I can get an EPC?
ANSWER 1:
Details of accredited energy assessors can be found here: https://www.Hcrregister.com/searchassessor.html
How much do energy performance certificate's (EPCs) cost?
ANSWER 1:
They can vary depending on location, but typically they can start from £40 if you search around. The more expensive companies will charge £90. Anywhere in between is generally right.
How long does an energy performance certificate (EPC) remain valid for?
ANSWER 1:
An energy performance certificate (EPC) lasts for 10 years from the day the property is assessed.
Do I need to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) to let a property?
ANSWER 1:
Yes, by law you need an EPC before you can even let a prospective tenant view your property.
if you have a tenant which moved in before october 2008, you don't need an EPC unless the ast is renewed or you get new tenants.
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