Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
It is now a legal requirement to ensure that a property has an EPC that was issued within the last ten years before it is marketed.
An EPC states how energy efficient your property is. It offers current running costs for heating, hot water and lighting along with a list of recommendations to improve the rating.
The EPC or rating score must be clearly shown in any advert and a copy of the EPC must be given, free of charge, to any prospective tenants. Failure to comply can result in delays if the landlord needs to evict a tenant.
Further details on EPCs, including any exemptions, can be found on GOV.UK – Information on EPC requirements.
From April 2016, tenants have had the right to request any reasonable energy improvements to their property. Landlords cannot refuse these requests, however, funding for these improvements must have been sourced by the tenants. Further information on this can be found on GOV.UK – Tenants’ energy efficiency - guidance for domestic landlords and tenants.
From April 2018, new Government regulations came into force that set a minimum energy efficiency rating for privately rented properties. There must be an energy rating of E or above, otherwise it cannot be let until works have been carried out to improve the EPC rating. Guidance on this can be found on GOV.UK –The Private Rented Property minimum standard - landlord guidance documents. Those properties that have a rating of F or below and are already let cannot continue past April 2020 until they have made necessary improvements to achieve an energy rating of E or above.
Our Building Control team will be able to offer advice on how to improve a property's energy performance.