Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Energy Performance Certificates for Tenants of Rental Properties (EPCs)

On the 1st October 2008 the law changed requiring landlords to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the benefit of new tenants of all rental properties.  It is the Landlord's responsibility to make the EPC available to all prospective tenants.  The EPC does not need to be displayed in the rental property.  An EPC is valid for 10 years and does not need to be renewed each time the property is re-let during the 10 year life of the EPC.

If an existing tenant occupied a rental property before 1st October 2008, the Landlord would not be required to obtain an EPC until that particular tenant left and the property was subsequently re-let.  However, it is advisable to have an EPC in place at the earliest opportunity to avoid any delays in the letting of a property in the future.  With fuel costs soaring and consumers continuing to feel the pinch, EPCs which prove a property is energy efficient could turn out to be a useful marketing tool.

Local Trading Standards Officers can impose a £200 fine on Landlords who fail to obtain an EPC when appropriate. 

EPC's should only be obtained from a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).  Your Mortgage Ltd can arrange for EPC's to be undertaken on behalf of Landlords.  If you have any questions about EPCs, or if you are in a position to need an EPC now or in the near future, please contact the Knaresborough Office on 01423 868899 to arrange your EPC as and when appropriate.