To claim cashback, your client can follow the steps outlined below. Note that the energy efficiency improvements to the property must have been carried out within 12 months of the completion date.

1. Client arranges and pays for a new EPA to be undertaken on the property
2. Client posts or emails their new EPC to us no later than 12 months after their mortgage completion date:
   • Email: generalenquiries@kensingtonmortgages.co.uk 
   • Post: Kensington Mortgages, Ascot House, Maidenhead Office Park, Maidenhead, SL6 3QQ.
3. We verify the updated EPC. £1,000 cashback will be paid into the bank account associated with your client's direct debit mortgage payments, as long as their mortgage account is current with no missed payments since completion.

To request a new Energy Performance Certificate, your client will need to apply for an Energy Performance Assessment (EPA).

The cost of an EPA varies according to area.

For properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, details of EPA assessors and an indication of prices can be found at www.epcregister.com and www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk.

For properties in Scotland, please visit www.scottishepcregister.org.uk. 

To qualify, the property being purchased needs to have potential to improve its EPC rating.

Below are examples of how this may look. Example 1 has an increase of over 10 SAP points difference. Example 2 has less than 10 SAP points but still shows the rating can be increased: 

We suggest advising clients to review the ‘Recommendations’ and, if included, ‘Further measures to achieve even higher standards’ sections of their EPC. This will provide a good indication of whether any recommended energy efficiency measures are likely to result in the required criteria to gain the £1,000 cashback. 

SAP points contribute towards a home’s overall EPC which measures the energy efficiency rating on a scale of A to G, with A being the most efficient.

Most UK homes are in bands D to E and making energy-efficient changes such as installing loft and cavity wall insulation can increase SAP points.

There are many options borrowers can choose to improve a properties' energy efficiency*:

The EPC of the property will detail energy efficiency improvements that could lead to an improvement in their SAP rating.

*SAP points table has been calculated using CO2 data taken from The Energy Saving Trust website and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Sources:

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/blog/energy-saving-budget

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/solid-wall

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/cavity-wall

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/insulating-tanks-pipes-and-radiators

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/roof-and-loft

For properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a copy of a property's EPC can be found at www.epcregister.com.

For properties in Scotland, please visit www.scottishepcregister.org.uk.

For new mortgages, an EPC will be provided as part of the Home Information Pack.

For remortgages, if the property does not have an existing EPC on the EPC register, or the existing EPC has expired, your client will need to have an Energy Performance Assessment (EPA) carried out to determine the current energy rating.