Who Needs an EPC?
An EPC is generally required every time a home or commercial building is constructed, put up for sale or for rent and is the responsibility of the owner, landlord or seller. For example, a newly constructed home will have one, and anyone selling a home must have one ready to show potential buyers. The EPC should be provided before the property is constructed, rented or sold.
EPCs have been a requirement by law since 2008 (2009 in Scotland), which means that if the property has been let or sold since that time, it should have one – EPCs remain valid for 10 years.
Exemptions
- Protected buildings
- Temporary buildings
- Used for religious activities
- Detached building with floor space under 50m2
For further information please complete the contact form or email at info@energysavingcerts.co.uk
Voluntary EPCs
Voluntary EPCs can be instructed by owners or landlords for the purpose of identifying energy efficiency measures that can improve the energy performance of their property to help reduce energy costs.
Penalties for not having an EPC
Local weights and measures authorities, usually through their trading standards officers, are responsible for enforcing the requirement to have an EPC on sale or rent of a building.
Failure to make available an EPC as required by the regulations means the relevant person (i.e. seller or landlord) or person acting on their behalf (i.e. estate or letting agent) may be liable to a civil penalty charge notice.
Trading standards officers may act on complaints or undertake investigations.
The trading standards officer may request that a copy of the EPC is provided to them if requested a copy of the EPC must be provided within seven days of the request or be liable to a penalty charge. A copy of an EPC can be requested at any time up to six months after the last day for compliance when the duty was to make it available.
For example, the penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant when selling or renting a non-dwelling fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building, with a default penalty of £750 where the formula cannot be applied. The range of penalties under this formula is set with a minimum of £500 and capped at a maximum of £5,000.
A further penalty can be issued for failure to provide a copy of an EPC when requested by an officer of an enforcement authority within seven days. This is fixed at £200.
For further information please complete the contact form or e-mail at info@energysavingcerts.co.uk
Penalties for not having an EPC
Local weights and measures authorities, usually through their trading standards officers, are responsible for enforcing the requirement to have an EPC on sale or rent of a building.
Failure to make available an EPC as required by the regulations means the relevant person (i.e. seller or landlord) or person acting on their behalf (i.e. estate or letting agent) may be liable to a civil penalty charge notice.
Trading standards officers may act on complaints or undertake investigations.
The trading standards officer may request that a copy of the EPC is provided to them if requested a copy of the EPC must be provided within seven days of the request or be liable to a penalty charge. A copy of an EPC can be requested at any time up to six months after the last day for compliance when the duty was to make it available.
For example, the penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant when selling or renting a non-dwelling fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building, with a default penalty of £750 where the formula cannot be applied. The range of penalties under this formula is set with a minimum of £500 and capped at a maximum of £5,000.
A further penalty can be issued for failure to provide a copy of an EPC when requested by an officer of an enforcement authority within seven days. This is fixed at £200.
For further information please complete the contact form or e-mail at info@energysavingcerts.co.uk