New ‘EPC Saver’ mortgage with Vibrant

This new proposition from Foundation Home Loans (Foundation)allows the customer – whether Owner-occupier or Landlord - to access a new type of service as part of their mortgage package. The product includes a free EPC Plus from Vibrant Energy Matters Limited (Vibrant), as well as access to Vibrant’s expert support service for making energy improvements to the property. And to help even further with that, there’s a cashback also offered as part of the product.

What is EPC+?

Vibrant describe their service as:

“EPC Plus goes beyond the standard Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by offering customers a comprehensive service tailored to their needs:

1. Personalised Assessment: Experienced assessors conduct an inspection of the property during a home visit.
2. Up-to-Date EPC: receive an updated Energy Performance Certificate reflecting the property's current rating, valid for a decade.
3. Detailed Insights: Gain valuable insights into the property's full potential with a detailed report; a suggested maximum EPC rating achievable for the property and outline of the steps needed to reach it.
4. Expert Support Service: Access to Vibrant’s technical team for any queries the customer has after receiving their comprehensive report.
5. Transparent Cost Estimates: The customer receives detailed quotes showcasing the cost of recommended improvements using contractors from Vibrant’s panel.
6. Flexibility: The customer can choose whether to utilise Vibrant’s services for a fee or opt for their own contractors.

Who are Vibrant?

To extend this opportunity, we've partnered with Vibrant , a leading provider of EPCs in the UK, assisting numerous homeowners annually. Vibrant is affiliated with Connells Group, sharing ownership.

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What is the process?

This mortgage product offers more than just cashback by also giving landlords and owner occupiers access to an expert advice process to improve a property up to an EPC ‘C’ grade or above.

The EPC Plus Service is not available on properties constructed within the last 10 years, as these will have had a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) EPC created at the time of construction and these provide an accurate assessment of a property’s energy efficiency and are valid for 10 years.

Once the mortgage completes, the customer needs only fill in a short form with Vibrant to start the process within 3 months of the mortgage with Foundation completing. Access to the form and more information on Vibrant for the customer will be provided on a web-based microsite (see below).  Customers who do not have internet access can grant access to a third party or mortgage intermediary to complete this online form page on their behalf.

Vibrant will come out to the property and carry out a diagnosis; providing a specific and personal EPC rating, but also, giving a detailed breakdown of all of the improvements that the owner can make in order to enhance the energy performance of the property.

At that point, the customer has the choice to either carry out the works on their own, independently of Vibrant, or they can choose to use Vibrant’s team to carry out and project manage the works. Should they choose Vibrant’s team to carry out and project manage the works, this will be subject to an agreement entered into between the customer and Vibrant directly and will be subject to a fee payable by the customer to Vibrant (Foundation will have no involvement in this process).  The customer has a choice at every step – for as much or little handholding as they would like in the property improvement process.

If the customer chooses to carry out their works via Vibrant’s recommended contractors, they may also be eligible for a finishing EPC to demonstrate the effectiveness of the works that have been carried out. This further EPC is not included within this offer.

Vibrant will provide the EPC services and not Foundation. Any agreement for this service, the installation and performance of any subsequent works will be between the customer and Vibrant.  Foundation is not liable or responsible for providing the EPC Services or for any acts or omissions in respect of the EPC Services provided by Vibrant.

The free EPC Plus Offer is available to customers who have completed on an EPC Saver application with Foundation. For further information regarding the terms upon which this offer is made and eligibility for the offer, please refer to our Important Information Sheet here.

How does my client access it?

On completion of the mortgage, the customer will be supplied with a link to Vibrant’s microsite and online form on which to request their free EPC Plus to start the process. The offer will be available to the customer for a period of 3 months from the date of completion of the mortgage with Foundation. Customers who do not have internet access can grant access to a 3rd party or mortgage intermediary to complete this online form page on their behalf.