DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSOR’S ENQUIRIES & GUIDANCE NOTES FOR OCCUPIERS As you will be aware, it is a requirement of the Housing Act 2004 that, prior to placing your home on the market for sale, the person responsible for its marketing must have available a Home Information Pack for production to potential buyers. One of the documents required to be included in the Pack is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The results given in the EPC are calculated from information collected during an inspection by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (who may also be qualified as a Home Inspector who undertakes Home Condition Reports), who is registered with a government approved scheme (and is referred to henceforth as the Assessor). The arrangements for this inspection have been agreed with you or your agent as appropriate. The purpose of this document is to tell you what is likely to be required and ask you a sample of questions you are required to provide answers to about the home. This information will assist the Assessor in preparing the EPC as quickly and accurately as possible. Your co-operation in respect of these matters will be much appreciated and will minimise the possibility of delays arising in the marketing process. Some of the information requested will also be needed elsewhere in the Home Information Pack, so it will be worthwhile taking a little time to ensure that it is available and as complete as possible. This document has two sections for guidance of customers Part 1 – Guidance Notes : This is information and advice relating to the Assessor’s inspection requirements and it will be extremely helpful if the facilities requested can be arranged. Part 2 – Enquiries : To be completed by the registered owner or their representative This contains questions about the property which will be of assistance in preparing the Certificate. Please answer these as fully as possible and provide relevant documents where appropriate. Part 2 should be completed and handed to the Assessor on their arrival at your home. PART 1 – GUIDANCE NOTES (To assist the seller in preparing the property for inspection) KEY POINTS AT A GLANCE: Most properties require between half an hour and an hour for the inspection. Large, complex properties are likely to take longer. Please ensure that pets and other animals are secured in order to allow a full and safe inspection to take place. If the property is occupied, the Assessor is not permitted to enter the property unless a supervising adult of at least 16 years of age is present. Please ensure that children are well supervised during the inspection as some tasks are potentially hazardous (e.g. the opening of access traps). Sealed traps are not opened but a more conclusive assessment may be issued if you can have these unsecured in readiness for the inspection. Furniture, personal effects, and fitted floor coverings are not moved. Inspection of any boilers, hot water cylinders or other heating appliances is extremely important; please ensure they are accessible if at all possible. Also sight of any boiler or other heating appliance manuals would be very helpful. Further Guidance Notes (additional details). An appointment will have been made for the Assessor to call on a date convenient to you. If for any reason there is a need to alter the appointment or if factors arise which delay the arrival of the Assessor, you will be contacted to advise of the circumstances. Similarly if you have to cancel or change the appointment please let us know immediately. On arrival the Assessor will identify himself or herself by name and show the appropriate identification card. If for any reason this card is not offered you should ask to see it; the Assessor will not be offended by any reasonable check you may wish to carry out to ensure you are satisfied as to their identity. The time that the inspection takes will of course vary according to the size and complexity of the property. It is not possible to state precise times for the duration of the inspection but typically, for most homes it is expected that between half an hour and an hour will be needed. This may be significantly longer, perhaps two or three hours, for a large or complex property. If requested, after an initial appraisal, the Assessor may be able to give you some estimate as to the likely duration of the inspection. The Assessor will need access to parts of the property, including accessible roof spaces, habitable outbuildings and attached or integral garages. In order to take measurements they will need to access the grounds to the extent that this is safe and practicable to do so. It is stressed that, if at all possible, all rooms should be available for inspection. The Assessor will endeavour to work around any limitations, such as leaving inspection of a room until a little later if, for example, an elderly or infirm person has been unable to vacate a bedroom or other accommodation at an earlier time. It will be appreciated, and ensure that the inspection is carried out as smoothly as possible, if pets and other animals are secured and that any risks of the Assessor’s presence provoking potentially dangerous animal behaviour are eliminated. The Assessor is not permitted to open secured traps (i.e. access traps into roof , cellars or other voids that are sealed shut with screws, nails, paint, tape etc.) nor to move heavy furniture, surface coverings or goods to gain access to such areas. If at all possible, it is requested that such sealed traps, especially to roof spaces, as can be opened up without undue difficulty are made accessible by you prior to the Assessor’s need for access. The Assessor is not required to lift floor coverings, move heavy furniture or remove contents of cupboards or shelves. It is not expected that you would normally need to undertake any movement of items. However, if you are aware of a factor which you consider might affect the energy performance of the property which is hidden or inaccessible and you consider that it may be helpful to arrange for it to be revealed, this will be much appreciated. The Assessor will need to see the heating appliances and any mechanical ventilation plant wherever possible, including any boiler and hot water cylinder which may be present. This is an extremely important part of the inspection. If at all practical these components should be made accessible. Any available manuals in respect of such components should be shown to the Assessor. Certain tasks, such as opening access traps. could present hazards, especially to small children. For all enquires on EPC'S for your home or for estate agents and associated companies please email or call for further information on single epc's or contract rates (multiple purchase)
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