Energy Performance Certificates to void properties to support the re-letting process.
The client
Swan Housing (now part of Sanctuary) manages a large and diverse housing portfolio across Essex. The organisation required a responsive and reliable service to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for void properties, supporting the re-letting process and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
The project
FFT was appointed to undertake energy assessments and produce EPCs for properties becoming vacant across Swan Housing’s portfolio. The programme required surveys to be completed and certificates lodged quickly to avoid delays in the turnaround and re-letting of homes.
The commission involved coordinating access with both the client and their void contractors, carrying out property inspections, collecting energy performance data and issuing EPCs within challenging timescales.
Our role
FFT managed the entire EPC process, from instruction through to certificate lodgement. This included arranging access, deploying accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, undertaking site inspections and collecting energy data in accordance with RdSAP requirements. We also provided supporting audit information and energy data to support the client’s record keeping and compliance requirements.
Our Asset Management team coordinated the service, supported by a network of local assessors to ensure responsiveness and efficient delivery across the portfolio.
Services provided
The challenges
Void properties often arise with little notice and require a quick turnaround before they can be re-let. Managing sporadic instructions across a dispersed housing portfolio while maintaining service standards required a flexible approach and effective coordination with multiple stakeholders.
The programme also needed to align with the client’s voids process, ensuring that EPC delivery supported rather than delayed the return of homes to occupation.
Added value
FFT established a flexible delivery model by engaging assessors local to the housing stock and coordinating access arrangements through key safes and contractor liaison. This enabled surveys to be completed efficiently and within the required timescales.
In addition to issuing EPCs, we provided detailed site notes, photographs and audit information, giving the client a comprehensive record of each assessment and additional confidence in the quality and accuracy of the data collected.
The outcome
Over a five-year appointment, FFT delivered a responsive EPC service that supported Swan Housing’s void management and re-letting programme. By ensuring properties received compliant EPCs quickly and efficiently, we helped minimise delays and enable homes to be returned to occupation as soon as possible.
The project demonstrates FFT’s ability to deliver large-scale energy assessment programmes while balancing compliance requirements with operational priorities.