What is an EPC?

An EPC is perhaps best described as an environmental MOT for your home.

Your property will be given a score from 1 (poor) - 100 (excellent) and an according rating: A through to G. The assessment is not pass or fail and serves only as indication of energy efficiency.

There is unlikely to be a link between your Energy Efficiency Rating and the value of your home. However, the practical benefits of carrying out the recommendations in a home you have bought, should result in savings to your utility bills.

The EPC is good for the property market and good for the environment.

The equivalent changes to the sale of property in England and Wales have been beset with problems. In contrast, the DFPNI have linked effectively with the schemes and register that already exist and have robustly stated that all houses for sale as of 01 July 2008 must have this certificate, in order for a property to be sold.

The homeowner is the person responsible for obtaining the EPC. The legislation requires that an EPC is produced at the earliest opportunity, this COULD WELL BE on the first day your home is marketed.

If you cannot produce an EPC on request, YOU (THE SELLER) ARE COMMITING AN OFFENCE. A fine may be issued for non-production of the certificate and no solicitor will allow a purchaser to proceed with the purchase of your home, until an EPC is produced.

You are only legally required to have an EPC at present if you are selling your home.

There is no requirement to print and retain the EPC in hard copy. Your DEA should provide you with details of the Register and your Report Reference Number (RRN) in order that you can retrieve your report. The report is stored on the Register for 10 years (at present).