Energy Performance Certificate – Why is it important for landlords and tenants?
Happy 10th Birthday to the EPC!
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. All domestic and commercial properties in the UK MUST have an EPC to identify the energy performance of the building. They look like the stickers you find on new appliances telling you how efficient the product is or, in this case, a building is, and is ranked from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). In 2007 the EPC became law for domestic property sales with four or more bedrooms.
Why is it important for landlords?
As the EPC has reached its new milestone it’s time to check whether the certificate you hold is still valid. Many assume that once the certificate is bought its valid because it exists- this is incorrect!
EPC’s have a 10 year shelf life so if the certificate is out of date it is not legally valid.
You are responsible of checking the validity of the EPC so please remember to do so otherwise you could face a £200 fine… ouch!
How can I check if my EPC is valid?
You can check whether your EPC is valid through the National Energy Performance Certificate Register. Their website easily allows you to check validity and gives you information on how to obtain a new one: www.ndepcregister.com
What if I don’t have an Energy Performance Certificate?
EPCs are beneficial to both tenants and landlords. For tenants, it lets them know how much it will cost for heating and lighting up the home, as well as telling them an estimate of carbon dioxide emissions. For landlords, the EPC can help you identify ways to save money on energy bills and it will suggest possible improvements to achieve a higher rating.
It is against the law to advertise a property without obtaining a valid EPC, failure to purchase the EPC could mean fines of up to £4000.
You will need a certified engineer to survey the property. Often estate agents will do this as a part of their property management service.
How much does an EPC cost?
EPC prices start at £35 but this is not a fixed fee. The price is dependent on what type of property you have, the number of bedrooms and the area can affect this price too. So if you live in Borough and have a 4 bed property the cost will be a lot higher than if you have a 2 bed in Suffolk.