Guidance for landlords on energy performance certificates
September 15, 2008
The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced a booklet containing advice for landlords on the new energy performance certificates (EPCs), which will be required if renting to a new tenant from 1 October 2008. The publication, A Landlord's Guide to Energy Performance Certificates, is free and is only available online.
In the context of this document, the EPCs will provide energy efficiency information on the properties that landlords want to let.
Landlords will need to provide an EPC whenever a dwelling in social or private rented sector is let to a new tenant. The certificates must be made available, free of charge, to prospective tenants at the earliest available opportunity, ie when first viewing or receiving written information about a property, and prior to any rental contract. EPCs will remain valid for 10 years and can be re-used as often as is necessary within that period. An EPC is not needed where a building, which was occupied prior to 1 October 2008, continues to be occupied by the same tenant.
Topics covered in the booklet include:
- what an EPC is
- how to obtain an EPC
- what an energy inspection involves
- how to prepare for an inspection
- what to do if recommendations are made as a result of the inspection
- whether separate EPCs are needed for similar properties
- what to do if dissatisfied with an assessment or EPC
- the penalties for failing to provide an EPC.
Further information can be found on the Communities website.
Print this page