Dwellings
CCHI provides national coverage to the residential market for Energy Performance Certificates.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires that all dwellings have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they are marketed for sale, to let or on construction.
The EPC is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is inefficient.
EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from the building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
An EPC is always accompanied by a report that lists cost effective recommendations and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all or some of the recommendations are implemented.
1st October marks the final roll-out of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to all buildings when the certificate will be extended to rented homes, commercial properties under 2,500m2 and all remaining homes for sale.
Sales
The EPC is a required element of the Home information Pack (HIP) which came into force on August 1st 2007. A HIP contains a collection of important documents that are required when houses are bought and sold. These include various legal searches, land registry documents and the energy performance certificate (EPC), which is intended to tell you and potential buyers how ‘green’ a house is. These are the compulsory elements for all properties; leasehold properties require additional information and there are various other documents and reports that can be included if you wish.
For further details on HIPs and to order the complete document please visit www.premierhips.com
However sellers of homes who have not had to prepare a HIP will need to commission an EPC as soon as possible so that they are able to comply with their duties in relation to EPCs from 1 October 2008.
From that date sellers will be under a duty to make an EPC available to a prospective purchaser at the earliest opportunity, and certainly when they provide any information in writing or when viewing takes place. An EPC will have to be made available before exchange of contracts in all cases, and given to the purchaser on completion.
The EPC can be ordered by clicking "order online" in the left hand taskbar.
Rentals
From 1 October 2008, if you are renting out your property, you will need to provide a certificate to any prospective tenant. There is no need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for an existing tenancy.
Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years. It is generally accepted that if a property has undergone energy saving renovations then a new survey should be requested. If a valid Energy Performance Certificate still exists when changing tenants no new certificate is required. This applies to both private and social sector landlords and tenants.
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