FAQ – Sheff EPC Limited

Frequently Asked Questions

We have been established since 2007, carrying out EPCs and Floor Plans in and around the South Yorkshire area.

What are Energy Performance Certificates?

EPCs are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented.

You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent.

An EPC contains:

Information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs

Recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years..

How to get an EPC?

You’ll need to find an accredited assessor if you’re selling or renting out your home in:

We have a team of accredited energy assessors here at SHEFF EPC who can carry out both domestic and commercial EPCs

We are able to handle large contracts. We have carried out EPCs for housing associations as far south as Southampton, and for insulation installers as far north as Aberdeen.

What is a Commercial EPC?

Many commercial buildings in the UK require an Energy Performance Certificate when it is constructed, sold or let.

This EPC is displayed in a similar way to that of a domestic property, with the energy rating shown on an A-G scale. As with a domestic EPC, a commercial EPC is valid for 10 years.

When is a commercial EPC required?

As soon as a building is in the process of being offered for sale or rent, it is the responsibility of the seller or landlord (i.e. the relevant person) to make available free of charge an EPC to any prospective buyer or tenant. The EPC must be provided by the seller or landlord at the earliest opportunity. Before a building is put on the market the seller or landlord must commission an EPC for the building.

How to Obtain a commercial EPC

An accredited NDEA (Non-Domestic Energy Assessor) needs to carry out a commercial EPC when instructed. They use SBEM calculations to complete energy assessments and can produce the required Energy Performance Certificate.

Are there any exemptions to having a Commercial EPC?

EPCs are not required on sale or rent for buildings due to be demolished, provided the seller or landlord can demonstrate that:

• listed or officially protected and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it

• a temporary building only going to be used for 2 years or less

• used as a place of worship or for other religious activities

• an industrial site, workshop or

non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use much energy

• a detached building with a total floor space under 50 square metres

• due to be demolished by the seller or landlord and they have all the relevant planning and conservation consents

A Non-Domestic Energy Assessor can confirm if your building falls under an exemption

What are the penalties for not having an EPC?

The penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant when selling or renting a non-domestic dwelling is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5 per cent of the rateable value of the building, with a default penalty of £750 where the formula cannot be applied. The range of penalties under this formula are set with a minimum of £500 and capped at a maximum of £5,000!