When do you need an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)?
Whether you are selling or renting a house in Belfast you need to comply with the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) requirement. The EPC aims to show potential buyers the annual energy costs of a building.
Property owners located in Belfast who market their home without an EPC can be fined £200 if they do not have an EPC.
The EPC is not always needed. If you are renting a room within the house you are not required to provide an EPC. For workshop buildings or buildings for religious activities, there is no requirement for an EPC.
Larger properties, such as apartment buildings, that have separate flats with separate entrances are required to have an EPC certificate for each unit.
Who does the Energy Assessment?
In Belfast, you can request an energy assessment for your property from a certified energy assessor. Just search for EPC Belfast.
You can also outsource this job to real estate agents. If you need an EPC in Belfast when you want to sell a property or rent an apartment, you can find out all about it at the Northern Ireland EPC Register.
What Information Does the EPC Provide About your Property?
The EPC shows the energy efficiency of your property. You will also receive information regarding potential cost savings if you have a low rating. A low rating does not affect the sale of the house even if the EPC rating is low.
If you are dealing with an HMO (House of Multiple Occupation), you need to meet a minimum of 39 points to pass the government’s minimum requirement. For example, student accommodation, a low rating here means that you will need to make some improvements to get your rating above 39. The EPC also contains information on the premises, as well as the date of assessment and confirmation. The EPC is easy to read and has a multi-coloured graph. The money you will spend on the EPC will depend on several factors such as the number of rooms, the overall floor space, the type and size of the property, and its location.
The assessor will prepare a computer-generated report. There are two things that are shown in every EPC report:
a) Energy Efficiency Rating
The energy efficiency rating scale consists of a grade A to a grade G, where G is the lowest rating and A is the highest rating. A G rating means that the property is not energy efficient. On the other side, at A-rated, we have energy-efficient and modern technology in your property is a passive home
b) Estimating the Cost of Energy
In addition to the EPC rating, the report will provide an estimate of the annual energy costs for the building. EPC also contains information on ways you can save money if you improve the energy efficiency of the property. What the EPC does not show are the costs associated with electrical devices such as computers, television, stoves and other electronic devices.
EPC assessors in Belfast can be found in local business directories or online.
