{"id":167,"date":"2021-10-14T16:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.affalo.co.uk\/blog-api\/?p=167"},"modified":"2022-09-08T14:19:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T14:19:49","slug":"what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/","title":{"rendered":"What are EPCs? A guide for first-time buyers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Energy performance certificates, or EPCs, are one of the most overlooked parts of buying a house. However, they can be very important. Just what are they, and what does yours mean for your home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">What&#039;s Included?<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#EPCs_An_overview\" >EPCs: An overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#How_does_it_work\" >How does it work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#The_EPC_and_you\" >The EPC and you<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#Talk_to_the_seller\" >Talk to the seller<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#Making_the_changes_yourself\" >Making the changes yourself<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#What_happens_if_you_want_to_sell\" >What happens if you want to sell?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#How_do_I_find_an_accredited_assessor\" >How do I find an accredited assessor?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#Buying_an_unusual_home_with_a_low_EPC_rating\" >Buying an unusual home with a low EPC rating<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-buyer\/what-are-epcs-a-guide-for-first-time-buyers\/#Credit-Score_offers_two_fabulous_solutions\" >Credit-Score offers two fabulous solutions.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"EPCs_An_overview\"><\/span>EPCs: An overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Government introduced EPCs in 2007, as part of the Home Information Packs scheme. The Government intended the scheme to give homebuyers comprehensive information about a new home before they considered buying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This included a certificate measuring the energy performance of properties, known as an energy performance certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While David Cameron&#8217;s government repealed the requirement for Home Information Packs, EPCs remain an important part of buying a new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Government requires EPCs for all properties before sellers bring them to market, so your estate agent should let you look at it on request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_it_work\"><\/span>How does it work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An EPC rates a property\u2019s energy efficiency from A-G, colour-coded from green to red. You may have seen something similar when out shopping for new appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The average EPC rating is band D, which is towards the lower end of the scale, but many properties have the potential to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seller gets an accredited assessor to look at their home and its energy efficiency. Assessors calculate this by looking at the amount of energy being used per m<sup>2<\/sup>, and the amount in tonnes per year of CO<sub>2 <\/sub>produced by the property\u2019s energy consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An A-rated house is extremely energy efficient and its fuel bills are the lowest. Conversely, a G-rated house is extremely energy inefficient, and its fuel bills are the highest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The assessor will provide the homeowner with recommendations to improve the home\u2019s energy efficiency. This might include recommending things like insulation in the walls and double glazing in the windows to keep the heat in during winter and out during summer, as well as things like solar panels, combi boilers and energy-saving light bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seller may choose to undertake these modifications before going to market, then ask for a reassessment, but they don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_EPC_and_you\"><\/span>The EPC and you<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The EPC shows the house as-is, when it comes to market. This is important, as it means that you know from day one what your energy bills will look like. Moreover, it gives you an idea of repairs you can do to improve the home\u2019s efficiency, lowering your energy costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, houses with particularly low energy ratings are likely to be a lot more expensive to fix up, meaning you\u2019ll have to weigh up whether it\u2019s worth going through with the purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Talk_to_the_seller\"><\/span>Talk to the seller<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, as part of negotiations, you can talk to the seller about making these improvements to the home, before you buy. This will likely raise the asking price, but it could be cheaper for you in the long run. It is certainly worth speaking to your conveyancer or property solicitor about arranging this, if energy inefficiency is a concern for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bringing up the EPC even one letter grade could save you a lot of money, and it\u2019s better for the environment. In the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Making_the_changes_yourself\"><\/span>Making the changes yourself<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d rather treat the house as a \u201cfixer-upper\u201d, you can buy as-is and make the changes on your own. This will make it easier for you should you ever decide to sell. (The most energy-efficient homes tend to be more expensive by nature.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, do bear in mind that with some arrangements \u2013 such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-shared-ownership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shared ownership<\/a> \u2013 you may not make major modifications to the property without consulting your housing association first. In those cases, you may have to simply accept the property as it comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_you_want_to_sell\"><\/span>What happens if you want to sell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>EPCs last ten years, so if it has been less than ten years since the home\u2019s EPC was made, you can simply use that one if you want to sell. However, if you have made major structural changes to the home or the old EPC has expired, you ought to get a new EPC. An improved EPC can mean getting a better price for your home when you decide to sell it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: The Government requires EPCs by law, and you cannot sell a home without an EPC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_find_an_accredited_assessor\"><\/span>How do I find an accredited assessor?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find a search engine of all accredited energy assessors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/find-an-energy-assessor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on the Government\u2019s website<\/a>. Simply type in your postcode and you\u2019ll be given a list of contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, you can use Google, but always be sure to ask for proof of accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buying_an_unusual_home_with_a_low_EPC_rating\"><\/span>Buying an unusual home with a low EPC rating<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, some older homes, such as homes with thatched roofs, are often given low EPC ratings. There is very little you can do to change this without making significant alterations to the structure. In this case, you will have to be wary of your energy usage and work around the issue. However, if you are looking at unusual homes, you will need to be wary of this anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Credit-Score_offers_two_fabulous_solutions\"><\/span>Credit-Score offers two fabulous solutions.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re preparing to take a mortgage, never apply until you\u2019ve tried our unique and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/home.credit-score.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FREE Credit-Score Home app.<\/a>&nbsp;Our smart technology will tell you what you need to fix so you avoid rejection. The app predicts when you will be able to buy, for how much and tracks your month-by-month progress to mortgage success. We\u2019ve even added your own mortgage broker, so you get the best deals available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More focused on your credit rating? Well, get started for free with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Credit-Score\u2019s 24- Factor Credit Check<\/a>&nbsp;to truly help you improve your creditworthiness and how lenders view you. (Remember: lenders don\u2019t use your credit score! We\u2019ll show you what lenders look for and how to get your credit report in the best shape possible).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Energy performance certificates, or EPCs, are one of the most overlooked, yet important parts of buying a house. Just what are they, anyway?\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[514,515],"tags":[674,506,507,508,509,620,675,676,677,678,679,680,477,558,621],"class_list":{"0":"post-167","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-buyer","8":"category-guides","9":"tag-accredited-assessor","10":"tag-buying-a-home","11":"tag-buying-a-home-for-the-first-time","12":"tag-buying-a-house","13":"tag-conveyancer","14":"tag-creditscore","15":"tag-energy","16":"tag-energy-assessor","17":"tag-energy-efficiency","18":"tag-energy-performance-certificate","19":"tag-energy-performance-certificates","20":"tag-epcs","21":"tag-first-time-buyer","22":"tag-homebuyer","23":"tag-mortgage-score-home"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ashes-sitoula-UfEyDdXlRp8-unsplash.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Robert Edwards","author_link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/conor-mullinsaffalo-co-uk\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What are EPCs? 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