Frequently Asked Questions
Which properties need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
From 1st July 2008 to satisfy the demands of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive any residential property offered for re-sale in Northern Ireland must have an EPC.
At what stage do I need to provide an EPC?
An EPC must be made available to any prospective buyer of your property on request and at no charge. Effectively having an EPC prepared should be one of the first things you have done before your property is advertised.
What type of information is included in the EPC?
The EPC forms part of a Recommendation Report about your property. This will include full postal address, an energy rating which follows a similar form to some electrical goods such as fridges/freezers etc.
Also included are a set of recommendations for improving energy efficiency and cost effectiveness of running your property as regards energy consumption. The EPC shows dimensions of the property and all relevant data to energy consumption such as construction methods, heating type, insulation type and thickness as well as a raft of other information gathered during the energy assessment.
Who can prepare and register an EPC on your behalf?
Only specifically trained assessors, who have attained the required knowledge level, are accredited by a recognised UK accreditation scheme and who carry the required insurances can provide an EPC and have it registered with the government database of assessed properties.
Who has access to the information held in an EPC?
Any prospective buyer of your property must have access to this information. The assessor will also keep information gathered securely. Professionals assisting with the conveyance process such as your estate Agent and Solicitor will need to see the EPC.
The information is held on a government database which at present is managed by Landmark.
What happens if I don’t have an EPC prepared at the outset of the process?
By not having an EPC early in the process of selling your property you may find the sale of the property being held up down the line. In today’s environment this may cause the sale of your property to ‘fall through’ later.
The Department of Finance and Personnel who regulate the EPC process on behalf of local government have made it clear that failure to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive may result in fines of £200 for each breach of the regulation. If, for instance, you had six potential buyers viewing your home with no EPC to show them you may be liable for fines up to £1200.
Can I wait until I have a buyer before having an EPC Prepared?
According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulation if you have a residential property which is advertised for sale in Northern Ireland then you MUST have an EPC for that property.
General advice would be that is your property is for sale you should act quickly to have an EPC prepared.
The responsibility for providing an EPC lands directly with the property owner as does the liability should any fines be incurred. Your Estate Agent or Solicitor may be able to offer advice on how to have the EPC prepared but have no responsibility to ensure it is in place.
