Sell an inherited house without an EPC - we handle everything

Yes. Under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required whenever a property is sold or let in England and Wales. The EPC must be made available to prospective buyers at the earliest opportunity and must be included in any property listing. It is the seller's responsibility to obtain the EPC before marketing the property. An EPC is valid for 10 years, so if the inherited property already has one that was commissioned within the last 10 years, you can use the existing certificate. If there is no valid EPC, you will need to arrange one before the sale can complete.

Selling a property without a valid EPC is a breach of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations. Trading Standards can issue a penalty charge notice of up to 5,000 pounds for failing to have an EPC available when marketing or selling a property. In practice, the penalty is typically set at 12.5 percent of the rateable value of the property, with a minimum of 750 pounds and a maximum of 5,000 pounds. Beyond the financial penalty, not having an EPC can delay or derail a sale because mortgage lenders require a valid EPC before they will approve a mortgage, and solicitors will flag the absence during conveyancing. When you sell to HouseBought4Cash, we can help coordinate the EPC process to ensure compliance without delaying the sale.

Yes, there are a small number of exemptions from the EPC requirement. Listed buildings are exempt where compliance would unacceptably alter their character or appearance. Buildings due to be demolished are exempt if there is relevant planning permission or a confirmed demolition order. Buildings that are not designed to be heated or cooled, such as certain outbuildings, are also exempt. Places of worship are exempt. However, most standard residential properties, including inherited houses and flats, will require an EPC before they can be sold. If you believe the inherited property may qualify for an exemption, your solicitor can advise on the specific circumstances.

An EPC typically costs between 60 and 120 pounds, depending on the size and location of the property. To obtain an EPC, you need to instruct a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) to carry out an assessment of the property. The assessor will visit the property, inspect elements such as the walls, roof, windows, heating system, and insulation, and then produce the certificate. The assessment usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. The EPC rates the property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and includes recommendations for improving energy efficiency. You can find a registered assessor through the government's EPC register or your estate agent or solicitor can recommend one.

A low EPC rating (E, F, or G) can affect property value, though the impact varies by location and buyer type. Properties with poor energy efficiency ratings cost more to heat and run, which can deter some buyers. Under current regulations, rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E, so a buy-to-let investor may factor in the cost of upgrading the energy efficiency before they can let it. Some mortgage lenders are also beginning to consider EPC ratings in their lending criteria, with a few offering better rates for properties with higher ratings. However, for most residential sales, the EPC rating is one factor among many and is unlikely to be the main obstacle to selling. The condition, location, and price of the property are typically more significant. When selling an inherited property to HouseBought4Cash, the EPC rating does not affect our willingness to buy.