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When selling your home in Ashbourne & Derbyshire, it is essential to possess a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This documentation plays a crucial role in helping potential buyers understand the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the property they are considering. In this article, we will delve into the significance of EPCs, why they are necessary when selling in Ashbourne & Derbyshire, and how to obtain one for your UK property. Understanding EPCs An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information about a property's energy efficiency and its environmental footprint. These certificates are valid for a period of 10 years. Whether you are a homeowner or a landlord, having an EPC is mandatory when selling your property in Ashbourne & Derbyshire. EPCs grade properties on a scale from A to G, with A being highly efficient and G indicating poor energy efficiency. This assessment takes into account various factors, including appliances, heating systems, insulation, and other elements affecting energy consumption.   Importance of EPCs When Selling a Property In the UK, it is a legal requirement to have an EPC when selling any property. As the seller, it is your responsibility to ensure that your home has a valid and non-expired EPC. If your certificate has expired, it is crucial to arrange for a new one before putting your property on the market. Fortunately, your estate agent in Ashbourne & Derbyshire, Bennet Samways can assist you in quickly obtaining a new EPC. Apart from legal compliance, EPCs serve as a valuable tool for potential buyers. They provide insights into the energy efficiency of the property, including: Energy efficiency of the property and its appliances. Grade of energy efficiency achieved by the property. Estimation of potential energy bills for the property. Failure to obtain an EPC can result in fines during the conveyancing process. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to this requirement to ensure a smooth selling experience.   EPCs for Landlord Sellers If you are a landlord selling a property, an EPC is still mandatory. It serves as an important document to showcase the energy efficiency of the property to potential tenants. However, there are a few exceptions to when an EPC may not be needed, such as for certain holiday accommodations based on the duration, or licensing agreements. Landlords should refer to the GOV.UK website for a complete list of exemptions.   Obtaining an EPC for Your Home To obtain a new EPC, you will need to schedule an inspection with an accredited energy assessor. You can conveniently book an inspection online via the GOV.UK website or seek assistance from your trusted estate agent in Ashbourne & Derbyshire. If you wish to verify whether your property already has a valid EPC that hasn't expired, you can check the GOV.UK website for existing certificates.   Contact Estate Agent in Ashbourne & Derbyshire, Bennet Samways At Bennet Samways, we are your local estate agents in Ashbourne & Derbyshire. Our friendly team is dedicated to assisting you throughout the home selling process, including arranging your EPC and preparing your property for sale.   Need a Home Valuation? Give us a call today on 01335 818550 or send us an email at stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk to book your valuation now.

One of the first steps to buying a house after your offer has been accepted is to order searches on the property. If you’re not sure what house buying searches are, we’ll explain in this article: What they are Why they’re important Whether you need to purchase them What Are House Buying Searches? House buying searches are checks carried out on a property before you buy it. They usually cost a couple of hundred pounds (approx. £200-300) and can provide highly valuable information about the property. For example, searches can tell you, and your lender, if the house: Sits on a floodplain and regularly floods Has any debts that you’ll take over when you buy it Sits on top of a mineshaft which, if it collapses, could cause severe damage to the property Is in an area where a new road, train line, housing estate, wind farm or other types of development will be built Sits on contaminated land from being previously owned by an industrial site – which can include things like asbestos, solvents, gases or arsenic You’ll normally have to pay for searches shortly after your offer has been formally accepted and you’ve instructed your solicitor to commence work.   What Are the Most Common Searches That Need to Be Done? There are three main searches your solicitor will order for you when you buy a house: Local authority searches Environmental searches Water and drainage searches Local authority searches will check the following for issues: Planning Building control Highways Pollution Environmental searches will check for issues related to: Flooding Landslides Subsidence Contaminated land Water and drainage searches will check things like: Who owns and maintains the nearby sewers and drains Whether the property is connected to a water supply and sewer If the water supply is on a meter or not Where the public sewers, drains and pipes are on the property If you’ll need permission from a water company to extend the property   Are Searches Necessary When Buying a House? If you’re buying a property with a mortgage, the lender will almost always require you to pay for searches on the property. This is because they need to know how much the property is worth and what issues they may be liable to pay for if they repossess it in the future (if you don’t keep up with your mortgage payments). However, if you’re buying in cash, you don’t legally have to pay for searches, unless you want to. But remember, there are still benefits to ordering searches when you’re a cash buyer. They are much more in-depth than a homebuyer’s survey and can provide a detailed picture of what risks there are in buying the property.   Conclusion Generally, you’ll always need to pay for searches when buying a property with a mortgage. If you buy a property with cash, it’s usually your decision whether you pay for searches, but it’s important to remember that not paying for them can cause significant risk and issue later down the line. If you’re considering buying a property in Ashbourne & Derbyshire and want advice about the process, our friendly team of agents at Bennet Samways are happy to help. Give us a call today on 01335 818550 or email us at stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk to start the conversation.