Questions and answers

How long is an EPC Report valid for?

An EPC is valid for 10 years and can be used multiple times during this period. The EPC will expire after 10 years and a new EPC (valid for the next 10 years) should be produced if the property is marketed for sale or rent at that time.

What buildings fall into exemption from an EPC report?

Some residential buildings are exempt from the requirement to have an EPC when they are rented out or sold – in which case the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards do not apply. The general understanding has been that listed buildings and places of worship are exempt.

How much does an EPC Report cost?

The price bracket for an EPC Report is between £45-£90, Commercial EPCs are a lot higher in price and are quoted on size of building.

Changes to the EPC Regulations?

This means that, from April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic and non-domestic properties in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants.

Why do I need a EPC Report?

Your property’s EPC needs to be available to potential buyers as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent. You must get an approved / accredited Domestic Energy Assessor to produce the EPC, which provides information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs.

EPC Regulations

After what seemed to be an eternity of uncertainty, the 2018 EPC regulation changes have been finalized.

These EPC changes mean it will be unlawful to let or lease a residential or commercial property with an EPC rating of F or G. Here are 7 things you need to know about the changes.

1. The regulations surrounding Energy Performance Certificates are changing on 1 April 2018

This has been a long-standing concern of the industry with uncertainty amongst agents, landlords, tenants and energy assessors as to when these changes would come into effect and just what the implications of these changes would mean for all of those involved. The date is set for 1st April 2018.

2. The EPC changes affect both residential and commercial property in the Private Rented Sector

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will apply to both the domestic and non-domestic sides of the PRS meaning that whether a landlord is letting out a commercial property or a house to a tenant, it could be unlawful to do so should the building not meet these new minimum EPC requirements.

3. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for non-domestic (commercial) buildings is an EPC rating of E

It is our understanding that this new rating will be based on C02 emissions for commercial property, this is the EPC graph displayed on the first page of the commercial energy efficiency certificate. Read the official DECC Government report for Non-Domestic buildings here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-non-dwellings–2

4. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for domestic (residential) buildings is an EPC rating of E

It is our understanding that this new rating will be based on Fuel costs rather than C02 emissions for domestic property. This is the EPC graph displayed on the first page of the energy certificate. Read the official DECC Government report for Domestic dwellings here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-dwellings

5. The EPC regulation changes are about the energy efficiency rating and that, if renting out a property, an F or G rating could be problematic.

Potential issues could arise after 1 April 2018 when trying to let a house/flat or renew a commercial lease with an EPC rating worse than an E. For the period Q1 2008 – Q1 2015, 35% of Non-Domestic buildings which had an EPC survey carried out were achieving an E, F, or G rating. For the same period, 26% of Domestic properties achieved an E, F or G rating. This official Government data suggests that a significant proportion of the UK building stock could be affected by the new energy performance regulations.

6. These new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on 22nd July 2014 and confirmed on 5 February 2015.

The Government considered the views of a variety of individuals and organizations across England and Wales on the issues surrounding EPCs before deciding on the details of the new regulations which are designed to help the Government meet their obligations set out in the Energy Act 2011 to improve the energy efficiency of property within the privately rented sector.

7. The new EPC regulations require eligible properties to be improved to achieve a rating of E or better, before they can be rented out

The new regulations apply to Non-domestic property, defined by the Energy Act 2011 as any property let on a tenancy, which is not a dwelling. All commercial property types from A1 – D2 usage class are in scope of the regulations, with the exception of those exempt from existing Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations. The regulations apply to Domestic property, defined in section 42 of the Energy Act 2011 as properties let under an assured tenancy for the purposes of the Housing Act 1998, or a tenancy which is a regulated tenancy for the purposes of the Rent Act 1977. There are also however, some exceptions where a domestic property would be exempt from requiring an EPC.

What is the difference between SAP and EPC?

What is the difference between SAP and EPC is a question that many of our customers ask – here we unpick the key differences between the two terms and what each one means for your build.

The Standard Energy Procedure (SAP) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) are two terms that you’re probably familiar with if you’re part of the building industry. But what are the differences between the two, and how do they tie in together? What is the difference between SAP and EPC? Your SAP calculations is the methodology behind the all important EPC, and is essentially a thorough list of calculations to judge the overall performance of a building. The EPC is the proof of those calculations. The Standard Energy Procedure is a methodology set by the Government to show that a build complies with the energy and carbon requirements defined by current building regulations. It’s a measure of the energy and environmental performance of a dwelling. Once a SAP calculation has been agreed, it will be used to form the Energy Performance Certificate. 

Why do I need a SAP calculation?

If you want to pass building regulations, the simple fact is that you need to provide a SAP calculation for your dwelling. It’s necessary to prove that your home meets both the carbon emissions and fabric performance standards set out in Part L of the building regulations. It also demonstrates your compliance within planning conditions related to carbon and energy savings. You can then produce both your Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) and your EPC: without these, your new property will not be able to go on sale or be occupied.

What is a good SAP score?

Your SAP score is your way of showing the energy performance of your home, and it will be used as a point of comparison for other dwellings. The result will be a figure sitting somewhere between 1 and 100+. The higher the SAP rating, the lower your energy costs and the lower the subsequent carbon dioxide emissions. A score of 100 represents zero energy cost – anything over shows that you are actually exporting energy.

So, in a nutshell? A good SAP score is a high one.

How is my SAP score calculated?

Your SAP score is calculated by looking at the plethora of ways your build uses (and loses!) energy.

It will consider:

1. Construction materials

2. Heating systems (and how efficient they are)

3. Any solar gains found through openings in the property

4. The level of thermal insulation

5. Any renewable energy technologies

6. The fuel you use for water and space heating, light and ventilation

7. Air leakage

Each area will be given a score, and these scores will help define your overall SAP calculation.

Why do I need an EPC?

It is a legal requirement to have a valid EPC whenever a building is sold, rented or constructed. The certificate is your proof of how energy efficient your property is, as well as showing any potential savings on energy costs.

By law, you absolutely need to have an EPC to put your property on the market. 

What is a good EPC rating?

This one is easy to remember – if your EPC rating is A, then you can rest easy knowing you’ve landed the very best rating. The bands run from A to G, and as a minimum existing tenancies cannot be renewed or new tenancies granted if it has an EPC rating of less than E. As of April 2023, this rule will also include landlords with existing dwellings with a EPC rating below E.

How is my EPC rating calculated?

Your EPC rating is calculated using your SAP score. And this is where your EPC SAP points come into play.

The EPC SAP points ratings are as follows:

A – 92-100 SAP points   B – 81-91 SAP points.  C – 69-80 SAP points.  D – 55-68 SAP points.  E – 39-54 SAP points.  F – 21-38 SAP points.  G- 1-20 SAP points.

A few simple ways to improve your EPC rating include:

Double glazing    Loft insulation    Wall insulation    Replace your boiler       An efficient secondary heating source