World

Energy Performance Certificates And How They Work

Published

4 years ago

April 29, 2020

Energy performance certificates (EPCs), same as solar thermal energy were introduced along with the Home Information Packs (HIPs) in 2020 as a way to provide a rating determining how energy-efficient a particular property is. HIPs proved controversial, and they were scrapped in 2010. However, EPCs remain a legal requirement in most cases of selling or renting out a property. You will need to have the certificate at hand before you start advertising your home for rent or sale, and potential tenants or buyers will also want to be able to see this. People can use this information to get a better idea of the running costs of the property in question. Data Provided by EPCs EPCs are designed to provide an overall assessment and rating of how energy-efficient a property is. A rating out of one-hundred is provided, and this number will fall into one of seven bands labeled A to G. A-rated properties are the most energy-efficient, while G-rated ones are the worst. Most new builds and recently renovated buildings have higher ratings than older properties. Listed buildings tend to be the least energy-efficient. A potential rating is also provided. This rating takes into account any possible improvements which may be made to the property. This is the property’s maximum potential energy efficiency rating.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an EPC?

One of the things which made HIPs controversial was that homeowners had to pay out a considerable amount of money for all of the necessary documents and certificates. However, since this has been scrapped, it is now only needed to pay for the EPC assessment and certification itself. You can either get the EPC organized through an estate agent or approach an accredited EPC provider directly. The latter is usually the cheaper option. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, EPC costs typically range from £60 to £100. Prices in Scotland are still much higher due to additional requirements, sometimes reaching £600. EPCs and the Feed-in Tariff The feed-in tariff is the main government-backed incentive to encourage homeowners to invest in clean and renewable energy systems, thus reducing their impacts on the environment and their reliance on the energy companies. All of the Big Six energy companies and most of the smaller independent energy providers are members of this scheme. To receive the greatest benefits from the scheme, your property will need to have an energy efficiency rating in band D, C, B or A. If it is lower than this, you will not receive the full amount, and you may want to consider making some modifications to your home to improve its rating.

EPCs and the Green Deal

The Green Deal is a new scheme introduced by the British government in February, 2013. It has also had a considerable impact on EPCs. The Green Deal is the government’s flagship policy regarding energy efficiency in the home, and it exists to provide loans to those planning to make changes to their homes to improve the scores on their EPCs. The most attractive feature of the Green Deal is that its prime directive ensures you that the loan repayments will always be lower than the savings you make by upgrading your home to make it more economical. To take advantage, you will need to have the work done by a Green Deal-accredited company.

More on the Green Deal here

Who Needs an EPC? Not everyone needs an EPC, although most homeowners do if they are selling or renting out their properties. Exceptions to the rule include any places of worship, temporary housing, residences which are used for less than four months of the year, outbuildings and workshops, and in some cases, listed buildings. If you are not sure whether or not you need one, you should contact your local council. If you legally require an EPC, but you do not have one, you may be fined up to £200. To get an EPC, you will need to approach an accredited assessor in your area of the country before you put your home on the market. The assessor will pay a visit to your property to complete a survey. They will then formulate an energy efficiency rating and provide your EPC.

World

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Michelle Langton

Are you dealing with injuries, loss of income, and hefty medical bills because of an accident that was not your fault? If yes, you need the services of an excellent personal injury lawyer. But how do you determine if a lawyer is a perfect match for your personal injury case when you have so many options? This step-by-step guide aims to teach you the critical steps to hiring the best personal injury lawyer in your state.

1. Know Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Typically, you must hire the right personal injury lawyer if you are pursuing a lawsuit for personal injury. As defined on Forbes, a personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that an injured person takes against a person or company responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries.

For instance, you get into a car crash or slip and fall incident in the workplace because of someone else’s fault. You can sue the party responsible for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and mental anguish.

But there are instances you may not need a personal injury attorney despite being in an accident. For example, a minor fender bender where no one sustained injuries or had their property damaged is easy to resolve without involving lawyers. So, after an accident, evaluate the damages incurred. If they are severe, search for a personal injury attorney.

2. Do Extensive Research

Where do I begin my search? Referrals are valuable because you can ask specific questions regarding the lawyer’s communication style, availability, litigation experience, and fee structure. So, ask family and friends to recommend someone they have worked with. Search for attorneys in your area online if you need referrals. You can type a simple search query like ‘personal injury attorney near me’ on Google. Alternatively, look for a lawyer through online directories.

3. Schedule Free Consultations

You want to know what a personal injury lawyer will do for you. Therefore, schedule a free consultation meeting and ask questions like:

What will you prioritize in my case?

The right attorney will focus on getting justice and fair compensation to ensure your stress-free recovery. Communication should also be a top priority. The lawyer should communicate with you using simple terms to help you understand your legal rights. More importantly, they should update you about the case progress on time.

Do you have experience handling cases like mine?

As lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo law firm mention, experienced personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. Even more interesting, they will handle negotiations on your behalf to safeguard your rights. So, make sure your lawyer has experience in personal injury law.

It would be better if they had specialized experience handling cases like yours. For example, if you are pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you will want a personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with trucking accident claims.

What is the value of my personal injury claim?

After evaluating your case, a skilled attorney should tell you the worth of your personal injury claim. What you should be cautious of are unrealistic estimates and guarantees. There are no assurances in personal injury claims. If a lawyer promises a higher settlement that sounds too good to be true, do not fall for it because they are lying.

How much are your legal fees?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. Based on Cornell Law School, a contingent fee structure allows lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the total settlement value a client wins. As a result, you do not pay your legal representative any upfront fee.

4. Check Testimonials

Aside from experience, work with a trustworthy and reputable attorney. You can quickly determine a lawyer has an outstanding reputation by reading testimonials from past clients.

Find out if the clients feel happy about the outcomes of their case. How about the style of communication? Does the lawyer explain legal terms in simple language?

A reputable lawyer will receive positive feedback from clients and respect from peers. Also, check with your local bar association to ensure your preferred lawyer doesn’t have disciplinary actions against them.

5. Select Your Lawyer

At this point, comfort matters a lot. Do not choose a lawyer you feel uncomfortable discussing your legal issues with. Also, ensure they have the experience and resources to win your personal injury claim. Equally important, they should have an excellent reputation.

Conclusion

When you are a victim of an accident that someone else caused out of negligence, you need to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. There is only one way to achieve these goals. You must work with the best lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. True, choosing the right one can be challenging. But you can make an informed decision if you follow this step-by-step guide to hiring the right personal injury lawyer.