ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

Landlords in England & Wales who let a residential home need to know

If you are a landlord and let a *self-contained residential home, you should be aware that from 1st October 2008 a new law came into force which affects new tenancies. It requires a landlord to make an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) available for inspection by prospective tenants free of charge when written information about the property is provided or a viewing undertaken. If these events do not occur the EPC must still be shown to the prospective tenant before the tenant enters into a contract to rent the property. A tenant cannot legally move into a property until the EPC has not been produced.

An Energy Performance Certificates shows how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. Similar to the rating on a new washing machine the most efficient homes in band A should use the least fuel (size being relevant). An EPC is valid for 10 years.

You pay a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) to provide the certificate

Penalties for not complying with the legislation could be a daily fixed penalty charge of £200 a day per dwelling.

*An EPC isn’t required when a tenant rents a room only and shares facilities.

If you need help finding a DEA please telephone this firm on 0207 476 2544 or look in your local paper or on the internet.

This guide is intended as general information only and it does not seek to summarise the relevant legislation.

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