About Domestic Energy Advisors & EPCs

What is their function?

When selling your property in the UK you need a Home Information Pack (HIP), anintegral part of every HIP is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The only person qualified to provide you with an EPC is a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). These are individuals who have received training and gained the relevant Qualification to become a DEA.

DEA’s either work for and on behalf of an organisation such as an Estate Agent, Conveyancing Company, Solicitor, or a company that specialises in producing HIP’s. A high percentage of DEA’s work independently and you are free to engage their services.

Why use an independent DEA?

Many independent DEA’s are often based locally, so they have a comprehensive knowledge of the surrounding area and properties.

As independents, they will pay particular attention to detail and the efficiency of the report as their reputation is at stake. If the DEA is local to you it is quite easy for you to check them out.

If you get your EPC from an independent DEA then you have control and freedom of how and with whom you sell your property.

ALL DEA’s MUST HAVE A CRB CLEARANCE (Criminal Record Bureau). Make sure the DEA you engage can prove this! Don’t take their word for it!

What’s the cost of an EPC?

This varies according to the company or individual you engage. You should make sure you get a fixed price for your EPC before the DEA arrives at your property as there should be “no additional charges” beyond his fee!

What will I get?

A DEA will visit your property and make a record of such things as the insulation, boiler, heating, double glazing, wall insulation and lighting of a property. This along with the age and construction and dimensions of the property will enable the DEA to produce an accurate EPC.

After the visit the DEA will go away and put their findings into a data base which will assess the energy efficiency of your property and produce a rating, similar to the ones you find on a domestic fridge.

You will receive an official report that becomes part of you HIP. This report will also have recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient.

How long will an EPC take?

Any assessment of your home should be thorough! It is impossible to carry out an accurate EPC in 15 minutes.

As a guide line it should take approximately 30 minutes to do a 2 bedroom flat and approximately 45 minutes for a 3-4 bedroom property. Obviously if a property has 10 or more rooms it will take longer and the charge be higher.

The more information the DEA compiles the more accurate their report will be.

What if I disagree with the report?

If you disagree with the report or the way in which the DEA carried out their job you can raise an official complaint.

All DEA’s are instructed to provide the client with comprehensive information in advance of carrying out an EPC. Contained within this information will be details of a complaints procedure. If it’s not in there ask them for it!

If you feel that the DEA was not through in their job and/or rushed the assessment, you should complain!