Energy Performance Certificates In The Private Rented Sector

NATIONAL: ENERGY EFFICIENCY CHANGES FOR LANDLORDS

Landlords are being reminded about changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which will affect rental properties in the UK.

An EPC gives information on the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a property, and is mandatory for all private-rented sector homes.

From 6 April 2012, landlords and letting agents will have just seven days to produce an EPC after they've started marketing the property for new tenants, rather than the previous 28 day period.

The full EPC report must also be provided to prospective tenants, rather than just the graph showing energy efficiency.

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, said: "EPCs give tenants vital information about the energy efficiency of their property and also contain an estimate of their utility bills.

"They also help landlords make informed decisions about how to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties by recommending improvements. Landlords have clearly been doing their bit, with 54% recently stating they'd made energy efficiency improvements to their properties in the past 12 months."

Nigel Hoath from NLA EPCs said: "These changes mean that it is even more important for landlords to have a fast and efficient supplier of EPCs. An effective EPC assessment will give a landlord a comprehensive report of the property's energy consumption which complies with these new government regulations."

www.landlords.org.uk/epcs

In accordance with an EU Directive the requirement for Energy Performance Certificates was extended to the private rented sector from October 2008.

Landlords are required to make Energy Performance Certificates available to any prospective tenant for all new self-contained tenancies which commenced after 1st October 2008. Properties which have a high energy efficiency rating will provide landlords with a market advantage due to the benefit of lower fuel bills for occupants.

Energy Performance Certificates can only be issued by a qualified energy assessor or home inspector. Certificates will last for a maximum of ten years and landlords will not be required to pay for a new certificate at the change of tenants if a valid certificate already exists. The Government anticipates that the cost of an Energy Performance Certificate will be in the region of £100, however this will be determined by market forces.

Publications for landlords regarding Energy Performance Certificates are to be produced by the Government. Further information can be found by contacting the Private Sector Housing Division.