EPC

🌍 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) – UK Only

As of 6th April 2012, it is a legal requirement to:

• Order an EPC before advertising a property for sale or letting

• Provide a copy of the EPC to applicants within 7 days

📺 Watch EPC Overview Video

https://youtu.be/dLJYXje53bk?si=zNQ1xSHfWmiKJf3v

🏠 Attaching an EPC in Acquaint

Once an EPC is received from an approved Energy Assessor, it should be attached to the relevant property record in Acquaint.

🔍 Viewing an EPC

• Navigate to the Property record

• Click Services

• The EER chart will be displayed

• Click View to open the EPC certificate

📎 Adding an EPC (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)

You can add an EPC using either of the following methods:

✅ Method 1: Quick Attach via Services

1. Open the Property record and ensure it is saved

2. Click Services

3. Click Attach

4. A list of EPCs matching the property’s postcode will appear

5. Acquaint will attempt to auto-highlight the correct property

   • ⚠️ For flats, apartments, or commercial properties, verify the correct match manually

6. Click Select to attach the EPC

7. A Certificate record is created and linked to the property

8. The EER chart will now appear in the Services section

   • Note: The EIR chart is no longer included in the current EPC format

9. The EPC is saved as an .HTML file in the Certificate’s Correspondence

🛠️ Method 2: Manual Entry via Certificates

1. Go to Services → Add/Edit Certificates

2. In the Certificates screen, click Menu → New

3. Set Type to Energy Performance Certificate

4. Click Save

5. Click Attach to select the EPC file

6. Click Save or Save and Close

🧠 Smart Features

• If Acquaint cannot read EPC values, enter them manually in the Certificate and EPC Details fields

• Acquaint automatically extracts:

  • Report Reference Number (RRN) – 20-digit unique ID

  • Expiry Date

  • Issuer – matched via assessor’s email or domain

• Floor area import is enabled by default

  • To disable: File → Configuration → Site/Branch → Property Management → EPC Import Property Floor Area

✉️ Merge Fields for Communication

• Emails: PropertyEPCTextWebLink

• Letters/SMS: PropertyEPCWebLink

🏴 Adding an EPC (Scotland Only)

Use either method below:

Method 1: Attach via Services

1. In the Property record, go to Energy Performance section

2. Click Attach

3. Use Find to search the EPC Register before valuing the property

Method 2: Attach via Correspondence

1. Go to the Correspondence screen of the Property

2. Right-click the grid or click Menu → Attach Document → Property EPC

Notes

• If EPC values cannot be read, enter manually:

  • Certificate Expiry

  • Energy Efficiency

  • Environmental Impact

• Acquaint will still extract the RRN and Expiry Date, and attach the EPC to the Correspondence screen

📄 EPC in Property Particulars

• The first page of the EPC can be auto-attached to the last page of Property Particulars

• Enable this via the Attach EPC setting in each Property Particular Template

🕒 EPC Renewal Reminders (Home Page)

Acquaint displays EPC reminders for:

• Sales Properties

• Lettings Properties

Key Reminders

• Let Properties EPCs Expiring – shows EPCs nearing expiry for Let/Completed properties

  • Important for Section 21 notices

  • From 1st October 2015, landlords must provide a valid EPC before issuing a Section 21

  • Source: Residential Landlords Association (RLA)

• Property EPCs Required – flags Available or Under Offer properties missing an EPC

⚠️ Minimum EPC Rating Requirements

• From April 2018, private rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E

  • Applies to new tenancies and renewals

• From April 2020, this rule extends to all private rentals

  • Properties rated F or G must be improved or withdrawn from the market

Acquaint helps track Low EPC Ratings via the Home Page.

🛡️ MEES Exception Certificates

For properties exempt from EPC minimum standards:

• Add an EPC Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Exception Certificate

• This excludes the property from Low EPC reminders

• The certificate is valid for 5 years

• Acquaint will alert you when the certificate is nearing expiry

Tenancy Checkout Warning

When saving a Tenancy Checkout for a property with an active MEES Exception Certificate, a warning will be displayed.