Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

amarshe

Hi
We bought our current place in 2011, and there was an EPC in place (dated November 2011 and valid until November 2021).
We appointed an estate agent in November to sell, and they had someone come round and do a new one, which we unwittingly paid for (yes, I should have checked!).
Having dug up the paperwork in anticipation of a sale, I've now realised we have two - and they both show up on the register, the old one has not been overwritten. The ratings and details are exactly the same.
Is this right? I understood that if you got a new one, it over-wrote the first one?
And presumably I'm within my rights to ask for a refund from the estate agent, since they really should have checked too?

AdrianC

Two were issued. The original hasn't expired.

Does it make a difference if the old one is still showing?

As for a refund - no, because you paid for somebody to do something they did. Was it automatically unnecessary? The property may have had work done in the intervening period which would have improved the score.

Did the assessor JUST do the EPC? Often they do the photos and/or floorplan at the same time.

dimbo61

An EPC should cost £50/60 and last 10 years.
Your old one runs out in less than 12 months and it may take 5/6 months to sell your home.
If you have improved the EPC by fitting new double glazing, more insulation, low energy led lighting etc it might improve the EPC rating 

amarshe

The ratings are identical. There has been no improvement work in the last 9 years (other than new LED bulbs to replace the old energy saving ones which again didn't change the rating).
The sale is due to complete by January, so there is no need for a new certificate.
The assessor just did the EPC. A photographer came the next day to do the photos.
The agent used the floorspace from the first EPC as it is marginally bigger (by 2m2).
Yes, I should have realised, but it's obvious the agent checked as they told us we had two EPCs!

AskAsk

the agent should have checked, but so should you.  so i don't think you have a claim for a refund.  it is small potato in the grand scale of thing so i would just put it down a mistake you made.

theartfullodger

Surprising you've not done any changes in almost 10 years that make a difference.  Low energy light bulbs?

In my experience different EPCs on same property can he quite different.  Got one done with low ratings, paid for another, better numbers, but absolutely no changes

greatcrested

Youmust have agreed for the EA to arrange the EPC - it was probably in the contract you signed. So I doubt you have any come back against the EA.

And cerainly not against the EPC assessor who has done a job and is entitled to be paid for it.

And if both EPCs show the same rating what is the issue with having two?

Now, if the 2nd one showed a worse rating I'd understand your concern, but for the sale of £45 or so, ignore and start focussing on important matters.....

Mickey666

Who cares about EPCs anyway?
Can anyone honestly say an EPC has been a factor in their buying decision, whether in absolute terms or in influencing their offer price?

ComicGeek

The new EPC should have overwritten the old EPC. But the Government started a new EPC register at gov.uk in September, and there has been some issues and problems, no surprise there.

The new EPC definitely shouldn't be the same layout/rating as the old one - there have been lots of changes to benchmarks, calculations, how to input things etc. The new EPC should have had a poorer rating if no improvement works have been undertaken.

But not worth worrying about.

AskAsk

Mickey666 said:

Who cares about EPCs anyway?
Can anyone honestly say an EPC has been a factor in their buying decision, whether in absolute terms or in influencing their offer price?

it only has an effect if it is very low as it means you can't get a mortgage or you can't rent out the property after purchase in its present condition.