Frequently Asked Questions

We offer Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), Gas Safety Certificates, Fire Risk Assessments, Display Energy Certificates (DECs), TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections, and PAT Testing — all under one roof. Many clients book multiple certificates in a single visit, saving time and reducing disruption to tenants or staff.

We cover Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region, including all Sheffield wards and districts, plus Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Chesterfield, and Worksop.

Turnaround times vary by service. As a guide: domestic EPCs within 2 working days, commercial EPCs within 4, Gas Safety Certificates within 3, EICRs within 5, DECs within 5, PAT Testing within 5, Fire Risk Assessments within 10, and TM44 Inspections within 10 working days.

Yes — and we'd encourage it. We can often arrange multiple assessments in a single visit, which minimises disruption. Landlords and property managers with portfolios can also set up a corporate account with regular billing. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). You need one when selling, letting, or constructing a property. EPCs are a legal requirement under the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) Regulations — without a valid EPC, you cannot legally market a property for sale or rent.

10 years. Making energy-efficiency improvements during this period does not invalidate the certificate — there is no legal obligation to renew early. Many property owners choose to commission a new assessment after improvements to confirm a better rating, particularly where MEES compliance is a concern.

Under the current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), rental properties in England must achieve at least an E rating. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let without a registered exemption. The government confirmed in its Warm Homes Plan (January 2026) that all rental properties will be required to reach a C rating by 1 October 2030, with implementing legislation expected in 2027.

For domestic properties, most assessments take between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the size and complexity of the property. Commercial assessments vary considerably by building size and type. We can give you an estimate when you book in.

Yes. Since April 2021, all private residential landlords in England have been required to hold a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The EICR must be renewed every 5 years and a copy provided to tenants.

Every 5 years. A new EICR is not required each time a tenancy changes — if the existing certificate is still within its 5-year validity, it remains valid. The landlord must provide a copy to any new tenant before or at the start of the tenancy.

An EICR is classed as unsatisfactory if it contains any C1 (danger present), C2 (potential danger), or FI (further investigation required) codes. Landlords must complete the required remedial work within 28 days — or sooner if specified in the report — and provide written confirmation to both the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion. A C3 code (improvement recommended) does not make the report unsatisfactory.

Every 12 months. The inspection must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. There is a renewal window: if the inspection is done 10–12 months after the previous one, the original expiry date is preserved. Outside that window, a new expiry date is set from the date of the check.

Landlords without a valid Gas Safety Certificate face fines of up to £6,000 per uninspected appliance and civil penalties of up to £30,000 per offence. Residential landlords who cannot produce a valid certificate are also unable to serve a Section 21 notice to recover possession of the property.

If you let an HMO, or a building containing two or more dwellings, yes — you are legally required to carry out and record a fire risk assessment for the communal areas (hallways, stairways, shared kitchens, entrance lobbies). Single privately let dwellings are exempt from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, though landlords still have general fire safety obligations towards their tenants.

Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises — including offices, shops, restaurants, warehouses, factories, hotels, and any other commercial building. As the employer or the person with control over the premises, you are the responsible person and are legally required to carry out and record a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

In most commercial settings, the responsible person is the employer, the building owner, or whoever has control over the premises — such as a facilities manager or managing agent. In multi-tenanted buildings, responsibility may be shared between the landlord (for common areas) and individual tenants (for their own demised space). Our customer care team can advise on how responsibility is apportioned when you book in.

There is no single fixed legal interval, but the assessment must be kept up to date and reviewed whenever there is a significant change to the building, its occupancy, or its use. Best practice under BS 9792:2025 recommends a review every 1–2 years depending on risk level, and a full replacement assessment every 3–4 years. Any significant change — a refurbishment, change of use, or change in the number of occupants — should trigger an immediate review.

Our assessors evaluate all potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen throughout the building; the adequacy of escape routes, emergency lighting, and signage; fire detection and alarm systems; fire-fighting equipment; and the fire safety arrangements in place for staff and visitors. The written report identifies any shortfalls and sets out recommended actions in priority order.

We use transparent pricing — you'll receive a clear, upfront quote before any work is carried out, with no hidden fees. Prices vary depending on property size, type, and the service required. Use our online quote form or call 0800 170 1201 and our customer care team will provide a quote.