Are you a landlord? Are you about to be? Then, take note. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a legal requirement for all new tenancies as of 1st October 2008.
By Lucy Searle
This means that you must make available a valid EPC and recommendation report – both free of charge to your tenants - or face a £200 fine.
The good news is that EPCs that were part of a Home Information Pack (HIP) or that came with a new-build home will be considered valid. And, while you have to have an EPC, you won't actually be forced to carry out any of the report's recommendations.
What's the point, then? You may well ask... The thinking is that tenants are more likely to rent a property with a higher EPC rating in order to keep bills down. So, in future, it's assumed that landlords with poorly insulated properties will end up having to charge a lower rent than those who offer well insulated homes - or make improvements.
If you don't have an EPC yet for your rental property, you can arrange one quite easily. The cost is from £40 upwards, and it will be valid for 10 years. Before you do anything, it's worth investigating whether you are eligible for financial assistance from the government via the Landlords' Energy Saving Allowance (LESA) and Warm Front.
Well, frankly, we think so, yes. Anything that forces landlords to make better provisions for their tenants is not to be sniffed at. But what do you think? Let us know.
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