If you are a private residential landlord, since October 2008 you are legally required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when renting out a home to new tenants.
You are required to present a copy of the EPC to any prospective tenants when they view a property, should a request for written information about the property be received or before any rental contract is signed.
The EPC will remain valid for a period of 10 years and can be used for all new tenancy changes during that period.
Benefits to your Tenants
All EPC ratings are standard. Therefore, tenants can easily compare the energy efficiency between prospective properties and will also be able to assess the estimated heating costs.
Benefits to you as the Landlord
An EPC also includes recommended measures that could improve a property's energy performance. You are not under any requirement to implement these, but there may be Government assistance for the costs of doing so such as:
- Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA)
Private landlords who pay income tax can offset up to £1,500 of spending on some energy efficiency measures on each dwelling
- Warm Front
This is a government scheme that helps people struggling to pay fuel bills. If you have tenants in England claiming certain benefits, they may qualify for Warm Front, with grants of £2,700 or more possibly being available depending on the heating system in the dwelling. This is something that the tenant must apply for.
- Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Wales only)
Similar to the Warm Front scheme but operates in Wales and offers grants of up to £3,600.
What if I decide not to obtain an EPC?
There is a fine of £200.00 per property where an EPC has not been provided to prospective new tenants.
Why use the-energy-portal?
- the-energy-portal has the largest network of accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA's) in the country. Therefore, you only need to use one instruction source for all properties in your portfolio irrespective of where they are geographically.
- We can offer a generous discount on the single EPC price for portfolio instructions*
- Portfolio instructions can be made on a spreadsheet listing all properties rather than individual form-filling for each.
- Credit terms may be available with single or multiple invoicing as required*
To instruct an EPC from the-energy-portal, please go to the online form.
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