An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for landlords to provide when marketing a property for rental. It is a certificate that gives a rating of the energy efficiency of a property. Having an EPC can help you understand the cost of running a rental property. Increasing the energy efficiency of a property can make it more affordable to rent, and can help attract new tenants.
Energy performance certificates are valid for ten years. After that time, a new certificate will be required. In some cases, there are special exemptions that can be applied to certain properties, but they are not always possible.
The Government has a long-term plan to improve the UK’s energy efficiency. To achieve this, the government has set ambitious targets for the private rental sector. By 2030, all landlords in England and Wales must have an energy rating of ‘C’ or higher. If a tenant does not have an EPC, they may be fined.
Earlier this year, the government announced changes to the Energy Performance Certificate in England and Wales. These regulations will apply to all newly rented properties in 2020, as well as existing tenancies. Those properties that do not comply will be banned from advertising their properties. All new tenants will be required to obtain a new EPC rating. Likewise, if a tenant is moving out, the landlord will be required to upgrade the property to an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above.
While the government has announced ambitious targets for improving the energy efficiency of rental properties, it has also put a cap on how much it will spend on improvements. This limit is PS3,500 for a property. However, many landlords believe they will have to spend more than this in order to meet the requirements.
Regardless of the amount of money a landlord spends, there are several ways to improve the energy efficiency of a property. For instance, a landlord could install loft insulation or replace a boiler with a heat pump. Other options include installing cavity wall insulation or double glazing. Before undertaking any work, however, a landlord should seek advice from a local authority.
One way to reduce the energy usage of a rental property is to switch to an electric boiler. If a landlord cannot afford to switch to an alternative, he or she can apply for an exemption. There are also regional grants available to landlords.
A property with an ‘E’ rating is generally the most energy efficient. This EPC in Scotland means that it will use the least amount of energy for heating and lighting. It is recommended that the EPC be made available to tenants at the earliest opportunity. Upon a tenant’s request, the landlord must provide the tenant with a copy of the EPC.
The EPC will provide information about the current energy efficiency of the property and recommendations on how to increase its efficiency. It should be easy to read and contain self-explanatory elements. When a tenant requests a copy of the EPC, the landlord must provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate as well.
