Do you need an EPC to sell a house?
When selling your property, you’ll be asked to provide information about the property’s energy efficiency.
Of the several steps you must take when selling a property, giving information about your property’s EPC rating is an essential part of the process.
If you’re unsure about the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or how energy efficient your home is, continue reading this guide from the experts at GD Property Solicitors.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate ranks properties in terms of their energy efficiency. The most energy-efficient homes have an EPC rating of A, while the minimum EPC rating is ‘G’.
The energy rating of a property takes into account its potential energy performance of its internal systems, like heating, hot water and electricity.
The colour-coded system makes it easy to understand the EPC rating of a property, but the Energy Performance Certificate can also include:
- Information about the property’s estimated energy bills
- Recommended energy efficiency improvements
- An indication of the cost to install measures to improve a home’s energy efficiency rating.
An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue until a newer Energy Performance Certificate is created.
Can you sell your house without an EPC?
No, it is a legal requirement to have an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate when selling or renting property in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, property owners must provide a more extensive home report, including an EPC, survey and property questionnaire.
An EPC is also a legal requirement when building a property.
Energy Performance Certificates must be commissioned before the property is listed on the market and must be made available to potential buyers and renters.
Do you need an EPC to sell my house privately?
Yes, you still need to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate even if you’re selling your home without the help of an estate agent. It is a legal requirement in the UK to have a valid EPC for sale or rental properties, whether they’re on the open market or arranged privately.
Do you need a new EPC to sell your house?
No, you do not need a new Energy Performance Certificate when selling your home if it’s still in date. However, if you’ve made energy efficiency improvements to the property since the EPC was created, it’s a good idea to obtain a new one if you’re looking to sell your property.
This is because the energy rating of your home will have changed, so you can alert potential buyers and renters to the change.ess.
How to get an EPC
It’s a fairly simple process to obtain an EPC for your property. You can find an accredited domestic energy assessor online and contact them directly to arrange a viewing.
The accredited energy assessor will then assess your home’s energy efficiency and provide an EPC rating. The EPC will cost between £60 and £120, depending on the size and location of the property and the type of building.
The benefits of an EPC
An Energy Performance Certificate offers huge benefits to both buyers and sellers.
Benefits for anybody selling property include:
- Helps to attract buyers – A high EPC rating is sure to attract more interest from potential buyers because it shows them the property is well cared for and has excellent energy efficiency, suggesting there is less work to complete after moving in.
- Potential for increased property value – Energy-efficient homes can often command a higher asking price on the market.
- Meets mortgage requirements – Some mortgage lenders have been known to offer ‘green mortgages’ with better rates for properties with a higher EPC rating.
Benefits for anybody trying to purchase property in the UK:
- Informed decision-making – Having access to an EPC before purchasing allows buyers the chance to consider the long-term costs of implementing energy-efficient measures. This can impact their decision to purchase certain properties, as some will require much more work than others. For example, a home with a low EPC rating may require a new boiler, while a property with an EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher will not need as much work.
- Identifies potential problems – Recommendations in the EPC can highlight areas where the buyer may want to invest in upgrades, giving them a helping hand in deciding where to invest their money.
An EPC can also offer benefits to landlords, such as helping them comply with UK property law to future-proof their investment.
When selling your property, you’ll be asked to provide information about the property’s energy efficiency.
Of the several steps you must take when selling a property, giving information about your property’s EPC rating is an essential part of the process.
If you’re unsure about the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or how energy efficient your home is, continue reading this guide from the experts at GD Property Solicitors.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate ranks properties in terms of their energy efficiency. The most energy-efficient homes have an EPC rating of A, while the minimum EPC rating is ‘G’.
The energy rating of a property takes into account its potential energy performance of its internal systems, like heating, hot water and electricity.
The colour-coded system makes it easy to understand the EPC rating of a property, but the Energy Performance Certificate can also include:
- Information about the property’s estimated energy bills
- Recommended energy efficiency improvements
- An indication of the cost to install measures to improve a home’s energy efficiency rating.
An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue until a newer Energy Performance Certificate is created.
Can you sell your house without an EPC?
No, it is a legal requirement to have an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate when selling or renting property in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, property owners must provide a more extensive home report, including an EPC, survey and property questionnaire.
An EPC is also a legal requirement when building a property.
Energy Performance Certificates must be commissioned before the property is listed on the market and must be made available to potential buyers and renters.
Do you need an EPC to sell my house privately?
Yes, you still need to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate even if you’re selling your home without the help of an estate agent. It is a legal requirement in the UK to have a valid EPC for sale or rental properties, whether they’re on the open market or arranged privately.
Do you need a new EPC to sell your house?
No, you do not need a new Energy Performance Certificate when selling your home if it’s still in date. However, if you’ve made energy efficiency improvements to the property since the EPC was created, it’s a good idea to obtain a new one if you’re looking to sell your property.
This is because the energy rating of your home will have changed, so you can alert potential buyers and renters to the change.ess.
How to get an EPC
It’s a fairly simple process to obtain an EPC for your property. You can find an accredited domestic energy assessor online and contact them directly to arrange a viewing.
The accredited energy assessor will then assess your home’s energy efficiency and provide an EPC rating. The EPC will cost between £60 and £120, depending on the size and location of the property and the type of building.
Speak to expert property solicitors
Are you in the process of buying or selling a property in the UK and require some professional support to handle the process?
If so, our online conveyancing service can help. At GD Property Solicitors, we’re experts in handling the conveyancing process for property transactions all over the UK.
As a result, we’re well-equipped to handle any questions you may have about an Energy Performance Certificate. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch today to speak to highly qualified conveyancing solicitors for selling a house.