Agents beg conveyancers to stop ‘time-wasting’ with EPC requests
An online post has generated a huge volume of complaints from estate agents about unnecessary EPC requests from solicitors.
When Hatton Estate Agents boss Matthew Hatton (main image, inset) posted a complaint on LinkedIn about his frustrations at requests for EPCs that have already been provided or are in the public domain, he had no idea it would spark such a huge debate.
Hatton wrote: “Just received another email from a solicitor asking for the EPC…
“If only there were some sort of magical national database where Energy Performance Certificates could be accessed instantly, for free… oh wait — there is!
“It’s called the EPC Register! We’re starting to think “EPC” must stand for Emailing Property Companies…
“Solicitors, we love you, but let’s save everyone a few steps (and a few grey hairs).”
Look on the register yourself you lazy ****”
There followed a deluge of complaints from agents and even some fellow conveyancers about their irritation about the amount of time wasted on unnecessary EPC requests.
Janet Myers, Senior Sales Administrator at Sequence UK Ltd says: “This annoys me so much. I just ignore emails asking for the EPC whilst muttering under my breath ‘look on the register yourself you lazy ****’”
And Mia Evans of The Agency UK says she attaches a link to the EPC link to avoid an email asking for particulars: “….And still…I get the email – do you have the EPC 3 weeks later.”
Miffed
And Paul Clark of Humble & Clark Legal Services claims conveyancers are equally miffed at constantly being asked by others to supply the EPC: “Most agents send (EPCs) with the MoS to both conveyancers, but even when not included it takes less time to access and download from the online database than requesting others to do it for you.”
But solicitor at Wilsons’ Oliver Louden defended his fellow conveyancers, saying: “If agents automatically did send this then there would be no issue and no requirement for this post.
“It is on your property particulars, so why not send the whole thing? Yet agents blame solicitors for delay(s). You cannot sell without an EPC, so start to help yourselves. Save yourself the hassle.”
Takes less time to download from the EPC register than to send an email asking for one.
Sent with the memo every time, yet they still email and ask for the EPC, which summarises 99% of the service everyone gets; useless.
You want to try be a Landlord. Court throws Section 21 out where tenant not paid any rent for 2 years cause not gave EPC when serving Section 21. Completely irrelevant. But Judge & Govt says needs to given by paper let’s waste the planet. More Anti Landlord stuff hence tenants can’t get houses any more.
I totally agree yet in fairness this takes about 30 Seconds to provide the EPC link. I can however understand how Sequence EA be frustrated if their SHC are involved, as will need sending three times before they find it.