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Energy
Performance Certificates in Let Property - Fact File
From
the 1st October 2008 all rental properties in England and
Wales with a new tenancy will be required by law to have an
Energy Performance Certificate - EPC.
An
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient
a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which
should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The Certificate
also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home
has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less
impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average
property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate
includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy
efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
A
landlord (or landlord's
agent) will be required to show the EPC to prospective tenants.The
tenant will be able to see at a glance how enery efficient
and environmentally friendly a particular rental property
is.
They
will have to be provided when any written information about
the property is provided or a viewing undertaken. If neither
of these occur it must be supplied before entering into a
contract to let.
The
certificates will be valid for 10 years. If a property has
recently been purchased, it is likely to have an Energy Performance
Certificate as this has formed part of the HIP (Home Information
Pack) in England and Wales.There will be no need to get EPCs
for current tenancies or renewals to the same tenants. A tenant
cannot 'legally' move in to the property until an Energy Performance
Certificate has been produced.
How
do you obtain an Energy Performance Certificate?
A
Domestic Enerergy Assessor (DEA) will have to be found.This
can be via a letting agent, local paper, web or via one of
the Landords Associations :-
NLA
- National Landlords Association - More
information Here
 NFRL
- The National Federation of Residential Landlords - More
information Here
Approximate
Costs:
They
are ranging between £40 and £120.
Tips
on making energy ratings as high as possible
- If
a boiler is over 15 years old consider replacing it. Consider
a combi boiler that does not store hot water in a tank.
- Consider
installing double glazing
- If
you are purchasing new appliances (washing machines etc)
look for the Energy Saving Recommended logos.
- If
your hot water tank does not have a jacket get one or replace
the tank with a built on jackrt insulation.
- Make
sure the loft is well insulated
- Consider
cavity wall insulation
Penalties
for non compliance
It
is the responsibility of local authorities, through their
Trading Standards Officers, to ensure that EPCs are in place
and they will be the body that brings any proceedings for
breach. On 8th February 2008 the Department for Communities
and Local Government warned landlords that the Government
is considering a 'fixed penalty charge' notice, which could
be as much as £200 per dwelling, per day, for any landlord
who fails to provide an up to date EPC to tenants
N.B.
This information should not be relied on for accuracy and
is presented here without the responsibility of jml Property
Service and the website it is being displayed at. ©jml property
Services 04-08
SEE
ALSO: Energy Performance Certificates in Let Property - 29th
January 2008
Back
to Property Information
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