Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
What is an EPC?
As of May 2010, a Home Information Pack (HIP) is no longer required when you sell your property. However, as part of a European Directive, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still mandatory if you intend to sell or rent your property.
EPCs will provide information on a building's energy efficiency using a sliding scale - 'A' being the most efficient to 'G' the least efficient (see example graph above). In addition to the Energy Efficiency Rating (relating to running costs), the EPC will also show the Environment Impact Rating (relating to the carbon dioxide emissions). An EPC report will make recommendations of how you can improve the rating of your property, however there are no statutory requirements to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures.
Only qualified, accredited domestic energy assessors and qualified, certified home inspectors can produce EPCs for domestic properties. They analyse how homes are constructed, insulated, ventilated, heated and the type of fuel being used.
Once your property has been given an EPC, it gets a unique number and is registered on a national database by the assessor. You can download extra copies by using the report reference number on the top right-hand side of the certificate.
Sellers are required to commission, but will not need to have received an EPC before marketing their property.
EPCs for Landlords
As from 1st October 2008, it is compulsory that all properties 'to let' have an EPC.
An EPC is only required for a dwelling that is self contained, meaning that it does not have an entrance via a separate unit or share any essential facilities (bathroom, kitchen etc). Landlords are not required to produce an EPC when an existing lease is renewed, only when the tenant changes.
EPCs are valid for 10 years and can be reused for new tenants as many times as required within that period. A landlord may choose to commission a new EPC if improvement works have been carried out, but there is no legal requirement to do so.
EPCs with Ballards
Ballards use accredited DEA’s (Domestic Energy Assessors) who are registered with the appropriate accreditation scheme.
Floor Plans
The Benefits:
- Cost effective marketing tool;
- Enhance your property details;
- Potential buyers can actually see what the property has to offer;
- Shows potential buyers what may not be apparent from the photographs;
- Available for private sellers too.
Searching for a home can be a hard task. Adding a detailed floor plan of the property for sale allows prospective buyers to have a clear indication of the layout of the property. Floor plans give perspective to the house, show the layout of the rooms and how well the home flows. A floor plan can make all the difference between selling and not.