If you’re looking to buy, sell, rent or build a property, you’ve probably heard about BER (Building Energy Rating). A method of measuring the energy efficiency of a property, a BER is not only an important indicator of your energy costs, it’s vital for understanding carbon emissions, too. A BER Certificate is also a legal requirement when selling or renting a property in Ireland.
You may be one of the many people to have searched ‘how to find a BER rating’. This could be because you want to sell or rent a property, or because you’re looking to buy and can’t find a BER Cert. As a trusted auctioneer in Co. Galway with years of experience helping clients with their properties, the experts at Long & Co. want to help you better understand your BER, too.
According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), a BER “allows prospective buyers or tenants to objectively compare the energy performance of different dwellings on a like-for-like basis.”
The BER scale rates homes from A to G. A-rated homes are the most energy-efficient and tend to have the lowest energy bills. At the other end of the scale, G-rated homes are the least energy-efficient. They usually require a lot of energy to heat the home and have higher energy bills. Most homes in Ireland sit within a C category.
As you can see, a BER is important to homeowners, buyers and renters alike. No one wants to pay huge energy bills, and poor ratings may be a sign of other potential issues, such as dampness and mould. For these reasons, it’s important to find your BER rating.
So, how to find your BER rating online.
To find your BER, you need to visit the SEAI National BER Register and enter the property’s BER number or its MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number). Your MPRN is an 11-digit number located on your electricity bill. Hit ‘Search’ and the register will show your BER Certificate, which is valid for up to 10 years.
As you can see, how to find a BER rating is pretty straightforward. And yet, a question like “how do I find my BER rating?” has several potential answers…
Asking “How to find my BER rating” can lead you to other sources and solutions. For instance, you can locate a BER Certificate when purchasing or renting a property. The estate or letting agent may have it in their possession, and there’s no harm in asking. You could also contact a BER assessor or estate agent. You can find a registered BER assessor to carry out the work for you, which may be required when buying or renting in the event a BER cert is unavailable.
So, how to find your BER rating has many avenues, with your choice largely dependant on whether a BER Certificate exists at the time of buying or renting a property.
If you’re still wondering, how do I find out my BER rating, double-check the SEAI National BER Register as mentioned earlier. It may be that one exists, but you just haven’t received it. Or it may be that your property has never been assessed.
If so, we recommend booking a BER assessment with a registered assessor. You can do this through the SEAI website and their National Register of BER assessors. This way, you can be certain that your cert meets the required standards and legal requirements.
Whether buying or renting, remember that it’s a legal obligation for sellers and landlords to have a BER cert and an advisory report available when selling or renting a property. The BER should be displayed alongside all property adverts, so if it’s not been made available to you, enquire as to its whereabouts.
A BER is important for many reasons. The most pressing reasons include:
If your BER is low, there are several ways you can bring it up before listing your property. These include:
If all else fails, a BER assessment will uncover your main issues.
If you’re looking for guidance on BER requirements when preparing to sell or rent a property, contact Long & Co. Our team of highly qualified auctioneers and estate agents has helped countless Galway-based clients through property sales and compliance and can help you better understand every aspect of the process, too. So, whether you need advice on your BER rating or help with valuations or sales, feel free to contact Long & Co. today.
As you can see, the concept of a BER is uncomplicated and in use for the betterment of both buyer and seller. However, it can seem like a tricky process if you don’t know where to start. And with compliance and value for property owners so important, it’s crucial that you get the right advice before listing or purchasing a property.
So, remember to first check the SEAI National BER Register for your BER Certificate, and if you can’t find it there, call in a registered BER assessor. You can also ask your estate agent if they have the cert, and if you’re renting, ask your landlord.
There is another option, of course, and that is to enlist the help of a trusted auctioneer and estate agent like Long & Co. in Co. Galway. Our team will be happy to advise you on everything from BER and certificates to compliance.
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