Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) – rental property

An Energy Performance Certificate (Landlord's EPC) for rental properties is required for the first letting from 1st October 2008. The EPC will be valid for ten years and can be reused as many times as required during this period. A copy of the EPC must be given to the tenant.

The certificate includes an asset rating and appears similar to the ones seen on white goods such as fridges and washing with a rating from 'A' to 'G', with 'A' being the highest indicating that the property will benefit from corresponding lower energy bills.

The certificate also provides information on the property's energy efficiency, carbon emissions and an estimate of annual running costs of fuel and lighting. It will also provide a list of measures that will improve the energy efficiency and financial estimates of the resulting energy savings.

This will assist potential tenants to be able to consider energy efficiency and importantly heating and lighting costs when renting a property.

Is there funding available to upgrade heating/insulation?

There are a number of government initiatives and allowances to provide funding for additional insulation and grants for energy efficiency measures. For further detailed advice on the Landlord's EPC including funding and improving energy efficiency please follow this link to download the 3Counties Landlord's Guide to EPCs

Why should you be concerned?

Your prospective tenants will now easily be able to see how environmentally friendly and energy efficient your property is and given the unrelenting rise of energy prices could determine whether they rent your property or not.

If you have invested in energy saving measures your tenants will enjoy a warmer and a more comfortable (and potentially longer!) time in your property and their energy bills will be lower. These improvements can add value to your property - you may even reduce the number of void periods!

Click here to download a sample Energy Performance Certificate

For further details from about EPCs from the Government website please follow this link