Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – Will you be breaking the law after April?
EPC’s – Will you be breaking the law after April?
This is a good article which affects the laws around residential letting and would be relevant to many property owners and landlords.
EPC’s (Energy Performance Certificates) were first introduced in 2007 as part of the Home Information Packs which were required to sell a home. The EPC provides both a current and potential ‘Energy Efficiency Rating’ for the property on a scale of A – G (with A being very efficient and having lower running costs). It also provides a current and potential ‘Environmental Impact Rating’ using the same scale. With many landlords and tenants finding this insight useful, it quickly became a legal requirement for properties that were to be let out for residential purposes to also provide an EPC.
The law is once again changing and any property that has an energy rating lower than an “E” will no longer be legally eligible to be let out to new tenants after the 1st of April. Further to this, the new requirements will be extended to all pre-existing tenancies by 1st of April 2020.
An EPC is valid for 10 years and the good news is that the majority of EPC’s already meet these new requirements. However, if you are at all concerned or would like to know your property’s rating. Please feel free to give us a call on 02085493366, or drop us an email.