An Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement when selling or renting a property in the UK. Since April 2018, it has been unlawful to let a property that does not achieve at least an ‘E’ rating on an EPC without an appropriate exemption. In order to complete a Domestic EPC, our energy assessor will attend the property to undertake the visual survey, complete the calculations and publish the certificate onto the national register. The energy assessor will need to access all rooms as well as the loft (if possible). They are also required to inspect heating systems and controls, take measurements and take photographs of all key data included in the survey. The survey is non invasive and a visual inspection is all that is required. Once on the register, the EPC will be valid and remain there for 10 years. We have over 200 fully trained energy assessors visiting homes every day in order to complete EPCs with a fast and professional service.
We have a number of clients who operate across the UK and use our online portal daily to order and track their EPCs. We understand the importance of a smooth process and our dedicated team of energy assessors and office staff will ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
Click here to learn more about Domestic EPCs.
Any property that is not considered to be a dwelling such as shops, hotels and industrial units will require a Commercial EPC. Before a building is put on the market the seller or landlord must commission an EPC for the building, which must be completed before the transaction can take place. We have expertly skilled level 3, 4 and 5 commercial energy assessors throughout the UK to cover the smallest coffee shops through to the largest shopping centres. Our competitive pricing means that we have many regular clients ordering consistently to ensure compliance of their portfolios.
Some commercial buildings are exempt from needing an EPC, so if you are unsure it is best to just give our expert team a call. Likewise, if you are looking for a quote for a commercial EPC please call us on 0203 397 8220.
A SAP EPC is required if a property has been: Newly built, Recently converted or has increased its number of dwellings (i.e. one house made into 2 flats)
SAP Calculations are the UK governments methodology for measuring energy efficiency and CO2 emission rates for newly built or Converted Residential Dwellings and are required to be submitted to your local building control to ensure compliance with Building Regulations Part L.
A site visit isn’t required for a SAP EPC, it is a desktop based task completed by our qualified SAP energy assessors. From the SAP Calculation we then use technical calculations and approved software to generate:
Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) = An unofficial EPC which will be issued during the design stage (if the building isn’t finished)
A full SAP EPC: The EPC issued once the building is complete and ready to be signed off by building control. Once completed, the SAP EPC acts like a standard EPC in thet it is valid for 10 years and can be used for all property transactions.
Air Pressure Testing is used to indicate the cubic metres of air leakage per hour per square metre of external area of the building – (m3/hr.m2) – as per Part L of Building Regulations. Most SAP EPCs would fail to hit their target without this. 1 is the best score possible, most get 5-10 and anything over 10 is usually a fail.
Sound insulation testing is the method used to measure the resistance of sound provided by an element of a building (such as a floor or wall) between dwellings. It essentially measures the effectiveness of the sound proofing treatment installed as part of a build or property development. It has been a mandatory part of the Building Regulations for new build and refurbishment projects since Approved Document E was revised in 2003. If the property is attached to any other property (above a shop/ terraced/ party wall) then it will need sound testing. You can sound test the floors/ceiling – The walls – or both (full set).
These services are usually completed just before signing off a new build property and completing the SAP EPC. However, it makes sense to start this process well before so you can ensure the building methods being used are sufficient to ensure a pass.
All residential houses and conversions must prove to building control that the property will not exceed 125 Litres of water per person per day. This is shown by providing water usage calculations.
MHVR Systems (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery) and intermittent extractor fans have their flow rates checked, are working efficiently and the relevant results submitted to building control.
These services are often carried out in conjunction with completing a SAP EPC but can be requested individually.
Our UK wide network of Gas Safe Engineers can complete Gas Safety Certificates (CP12’s) and other gas services in a timely and efficient manner.
Our services are mostly used by letting agents to carry out landlord safety certificates on rental properties. Clients use our services as we offer a competitive fixed fee service. The Gas Safety Certificate is required every 12 months in any residential rental property that has mains gas. All gas appliances will need to be checked including boilers, gas hobs and gas fires.
Instead of relying on just one local gas engineer that can often cause difficulties we have a large network of gas engineers to ensure that whatever the situation we get the service completed as quickly as possible with as little disruption as possible to the landlord, tenant and letting agent.
If selling a commercial property the buyers solicitor will nearly always request an asbestos management survey and fire risk assessment.
An asbestos survey is carried out by an expert in surveying properties and looking for where asbestos may have been used within the property. Often the survey will involve taking samples from the property and sending them to a lab for clarification.
A fire risk assessment should be carried out regularly by a competent person. The survey should look for fire hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate or remove the risk and record the findings.
Our team of surveyors are on hand to complete asbestos management surveys and fire risk assessments throughout the UK.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
New government legislation states that landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The Regulations also state that a landlord is required to obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test, supply it to each tenant within 28 days and retain a copy until the next inspection is due.
1st July 2020 - Rule applies to new tenancies - As of this date, a landlord must supply a tenant with a satisfactory EICR report prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
1st April 2021 - Rule applies to all existing tenancies - A landlord must supply any current tenants with a copy of a satisfactory EICR report.
Upon request, the report must be provided to the local housing authority within 7 days.The Regulations require local housing authorities to enforce the rules and they have the power to arrange remedial action. Proven breaches of the Regulations can result in the local housing authority imposing a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
EICR - An Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) is an official document that is produced following an assessment an electrical installation (Consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches etc). This is an in depth check and is usually valid for 5 years upon its completion, however this can vary due to the age and condition of the installation. During an EICR, the consumer unit (or fuseboard), wiring and electrical accessories are thoroughly tested and inspected for faults or deviations from the Wiring Standards
PAT Test - A portable appliance test (PAT) is a safety check carried out on an appliances with a plug, i.e. kettle, tv, lamp etc. A PAT test is recommended to be conducted every 12 months.
Maintaining the safety of a tenants home environment is vital and the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the best way of monitoring the electrics within the property. Prop Cert have fully qualified electricians throughout the UK completing EICRs. If you are a letting agent, landlord or anyone looking for electricians to complete EICRs then please do get in touch.
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