What is an EPC? (a must read for landlords!)

Posted on March 30, 2017

And why landlords should check their properties’ energy ratings as soon as possible ...

Stricter rules about Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are coming into force in April 2018: landlords should prepare accordingly or risk being banned from renting out their properties.

What is an EPC?

Whenever a property is built, sold or rented, an EPC must be obtained.

In summary, an EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and its typical energy costs. It will also set out recommendations about how energy use can be reduced and money saved. Each property is given an energy efficiency rating which ranges from A, for the most efficient properties, to G – for the least efficient properties.

An EPC is valid for 10 years.

Some buildings do not need an EPC. These include, for example, places of worship, buildings that are temporary and to be used for less than two years, listed buildings and some holiday accommodation.

Warning – you could be fined

If you are a landlord, builder or property owner and do not obtain an EPC when you are required to, you can be fined.

April 2018 changes to the EPC rules

Landlords should bear in mind that stricter rules about EPCs will apply from April 2018. In effect, landlords who do not bring their properties up to the minimum level of energy efficiency (rating E) by that date, will be prohibited from leasing them out.

It is currently estimated that nearly 20% of properties will fall foul of this new measure if no improvement works are carried out to improve their efficiency ratings. Landlords should therefore assess what works need doing - and budget for those works - as soon as possible to avoid losing rental income.

On the upside, landlords can use the energy efficiency of their property for marketing purposes on the basis that the running costs will be lower.

Contact details and further information

For more information on whether you need an EPC, contact us on 0161 785 35001 or make an enquiry.

We can also put you in contact with Breakey Nuttall who are chartered surveyors and property advisors and can assist you finding a low cost route to compliance.

Posted 30 March 2017

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.