Real Estate

The Importance of Energy Performance Certificates

It has been a requirement by law in the UK for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be provided since 2009. In 2017 though, the Scottish Government announced that there would be a minimum requirement for energy standards for all properties, whether they are a domestic property or a commercial property. The introduction of this minimum energy requirement will be phased in over time. As the owner of a property, it is your responsibility to hire the services of a company that provides energy performance certificates. For estate agents, it is important to have a tie in with a supplier of EPCs, as well as professional photographs of properties and floor plans. Having access to the whole package ensures that estate agents have a better chance of selling/leasing property.

The changes in Scotland started in April of this year with any new tenancy ensuring that a property must have an EPC of at least band E. By the end of March 2022, all properties will need at least band E on an EPC. In April 2022 any new tenancy must have an EPC of at least band D, with all properties requiring band D of an EPC by the end of March 2025. It is important that all new homes are designed to be more energy efficient, as we all look to make the country greener and to meet the environmental targets that are required to reduce carbon emissions.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is valid for 10 years on a property. It is the method used to assess the energy efficiency of the building and to assign it a specific energy rating. The ratings work on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient G being the least energy efficient. The performance is calculated using information about the size and the layout of the property, the insulation and the ventilation in place.

The EPC not only assigns and energy rating for the property as it stands, it also offers recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency of the property. This could include anything from insulation in the attic, to installing heating systems that are more energy efficient or solid wall insulation. Failure to meet the new EPC regulations will lead to the local authority serving a compliance notice to remedy the problems that have been uncovered. Failure to implement the positive changes could then result in a penalty notice and fine.

Whether you are the owner of a single property or multiple properties, or whether you are an estate agency with the need for access to a wide range of marketing services, such as accurate floor plans, professional property photographs and energy performance certificates, it pays off immensely to find a company that can provide you with all of this in one place. Professional estate agent marketing services ensure that accuracy is key when selling or leasing a property to potential buyers or tenants. Especially when it comes to energy efficiency certificates and the legal requirements, you want to ensure that you are above board with every property.