The
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is used to show useful information to the homeowner. (Check out my Blog post on
When An EPC Is Needed - My Guide Tells You All You Need To Know.) Therefore, a candidate on an
EPC Training course would learn all about the following.
1. The Energy Efficiency Rating. This is a letter between A and G, (commonly used on fridges and washing machines)
2. The EPC gives the estimated energy costs. Then the savings that could be averaged over a period of 3 years.
3. Three recommendations for the house giving the typical cost/ saving of the energy efficient improvement.
4. A house summary with declarations about elements of the house based on data recorded by the Domestic Energy Assessor. An EPC Training Course would teach about the construction and insulation in the property, as well as the heating and hot water systems
5. The EPC gives a full list of cost effective recommendations for the building, their suggestive cost, estimated savings.
6. Alternative measures that improve the energy efficiency of the home.
7. The details of the Domestic Energy Assessor that completed the Energy Performance Certificate.
8. An Environmental Impact Rating – this is a rating of the carbon emissions. This is a similar A to G Rating as the Energy Efficiency Rating.
The EPC, produced by a Domestic Energy Assessor who has completed an EPC Training Course, is valid for 10 years from the date it is produced and uploaded to the Landmark website. It can be used as many times, for whatever reason, within the 10 years. The enactment of EPC regulations for rental properties in October 2008 said that an EPC would be needed when a property is rented to a different tenant. This means a new EPC will only be required when a tenant moves out post October 2008.
Every domestic home being sold or rented requires an Energy Performance Certificate. The exceptions to the rule are:
1. Listed buildings- listed by English Heritage. These can be found by searching the website list.english-heritage.org.uk.
2. Prefab buildings which have a planned use time of less than 2 years
3. If a residential house has occupancy 4 months, or less, with the expect energy consumption of the house to be less than 25% of all year-round use.
4. A building not attached to another (standalone buildings) which have a floor area of less than 50m2.
An EPC Training candidate needs to know that a house does not need an Energy Performance Certificate when the seller or landlord can show:
1. The property is going to be demolished or in a state ready for demolition
2. The area of that property is suitable for redevelopment in the future.
3. The owner has planning permissions, listed building consents and conservation area consents exist in relation to the demolition. Redevelopment of the plot must either have outline planning (or planning permission exists) plus -where relevant - listed building consents exist.
Holiday lets – in certain instances - may not need an
Energy Performance Certificate.
This will also be cover in an EPC Course. The following areas should be considered in your
EPC Training: 1. A Furnished Holiday Let (as defined by HMRC) will require an Energy Performance Certificate produced by a Domestic Energy Assessor.
2. An EPC is required when a property is inhabited for a holiday when a short term letting arrangement is signed with each tenant. This must be less than 31 days.
3. A property Is hired out (in any 12 month period) for a combined total of four months or more.
4. When the renter or owner is responsible for paying the energy bills for the building.
5. For an EPC to be unnecessary, the building must meet: a) A Furnished Holiday Let (as defined by HMRC) and b) the renter/owner must not be paying any bills for energy costs.
(A note for potential Domestic Energy Assessors studying an EPC Course, this is - A House of Multiple Occupancy - HMO)
HMO, in law, is a house or property with single/double rooms etc that are leased out and facilities, such as kitchen and/or bathroom are shared between individual renters. As an Energy Performance Certificate is only needed for a self-contained unit, rented or leased bedrooms/rooms within an HMO do not require an EPC. Be aware that this is because the building includes shared facilities – as previously mention like kitchen/bathrooms. It must be noted, if you are studying an EPC Training Course, that if the building, is sold as a whole unit; it will need either, a commercial or domestic Energy Performance Certificate, but it will depend on the type of property.
