From 1st October 2008 it has been mandatory for landlords to supply an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to any prospective tenant.
EPCs must be drawn up by accredited energy assessors. The certificate shows how energy efficient a property currently is, and how energy efficient it could be if certain improvements are made. You are however under no obligation to make the suggested improvements to flats or houses that you let, only to supply the prospective tenant with the certificate. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and CO2 emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and CO2 emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
For an example of an EPC, click on the link below
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/319282.pdf
If you would like to commission an EPC, our partners at Landlord Assist would be delighted to help. For a free quotation, just fill in the form below.
