Energy Performance Certificates

From 1st October 2008 new legislation requires all rental properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in place before the start of any new tenancy; in much the same way that rental properties have needed a Landlord’s Gas Safety Record for the last 20 years.
Extensions of pre 1st October 2008 tenancies will count as new tenancies and will therefore require an EPC. The certificates will be valid for 10 years.

Tenants are becoming extremely conscious of the running costs of any particular house. The new legislation states that prospective Tenants must be shown the EPC before he/she signs the lease in order that an informed choice can be made. It is the Landlords/agents responsibility to provide the EPC to the prospective Tenant and failure to do so could invalidate the tenancy agreement and lead to a fine of £200 for non-compliance.

Clearly a Tenant’s choice of one property over another could be significantly influenced by the potential running costs. We therefore recommend that Landlord’s consider improving the energy performance of their property before they get the EPC.