EPC & Floorplan documents

Sanoffo

Does anyone know the legal requirements behind EPCs (energy performance certificates) and floor plan documents when buying/selling?

We won an offer on a 2 bed terrace a few weeks ago. The estate agent only has the room dimensions available, which excludes hallway space and total sq footage - he gave us the individual room sizes in an email. The house never made it to Rightmove, so we were told no floor plan or photos were necessary.

We have been trying to get an EPC document and floor plan from the estate agents over the past week but they keep saying this is not available. Can anyone advise if we should keep pushing them to get us this information or is it normal not to have it? It is mighty frustrating not having a floor plan!

The following link suggests the EPC is legally required:
https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates

Thanks for any help,

SmlSave

There has to be an EPC ordered to market the property.


Have a look at the EPC Register (can't get the link to work atm) to see if an EPC has actually been done.


There is no legal requirement for a floor plan so I suggest you go round and draw your own.

Mojisola

Point them to this -

https://www.gov.uk/energy-performance-certificate-commercial-property/overview
You can be fined between £500 and £5,000 based on the rateable value of the building if you don’t make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant.

G_M

There is no legal requirement for a floor plan.

Why not visit the property and assess whetehr it is big enough to meet your needs? Take a tape measure with you. Sorted.

An EPC is legally required to have been ordered in order to market the property.

But frankly they are so useless there is really no point making an issue about its absence unless you just happen to like stirring up trouble.

tigsly

the EPC - is a requirement and does say the 'active floor area' of a property - but some EPC - people don't include hallway floorspace as living space.. (at least i've found 2 that didn't )

as for photos and a 'floor plan' these are not required..

I think the soliciter 'bumf' demands the epc. (You can search teh EPC register by postcode.. if that helps

Sanoffo

To be honest, the EPC itself doesn't bother me too much although will chase this up, thanks.

It's not having a floor plan to mull over in the mean time that's a pain as we'd like to start thinking about the renovation/layout etc.

I've seen floor plans of similar properties on the street but it's frustrating knowing that we'll have to create one ourselves/pay for one to be created after moving in. It's something I kind of expect when spending 400k on a property.

We are trying to arrange a viewing to measure up ourselves this week.

Newly_retired

In my experience floor plans are not always accurate. You need to do your own measurements anyway, as size of alcoves, for example, will probably not be included.
You can easily create your own plan, once you have got your measurements.

Sanoffo

I found the EPC for the house on that EPC Register website. The last one was done in 2008, they last for 10 years so I think it's all kosha. I'll just mention it to the estate agent on Monday, I don't want to hold up the sale.

This has also outlined guidance on the total floor area of the property so thanks for your help.