By the 1st October 2008 all buildings whether domestic or non-domestic that are to be sold or rented will need to have an EPC.
6th April 2008
EPC’s required for the sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 500m²
EPC’s required on construction for all non-dwellings.
Display certificates required for all public buildings >1000m².
1st October 2008
EPC’s required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings.
EPC’s required on the sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.
Why is energy efficiency an important issue for landlords?
From the 1st October 2008 it will be a requirement for rental properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Many landlords are of the opinion that EPC’s will make little difference to the rental sector. They feel that tenants are simply interested in nice accommodation in good locations, with reasonable rents and have little concern regarding energy bills. However, with global warming and climate change dominating the news, along with rapidly increasing fuel prices, consumer interest in energy consumption is now, more than ever, rising significantly.
It is felt that there will be pressure on rental income in poorly performing properties and the forward thinking landlord has realized this. Not only is it likely that improved energy efficiency in properties will allow a higher rental yield but also the landlord will benefit from a higher EPC when they come to sell their investment.
EPC’s can only be carried out by fully qualified, accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA’s).
The DEA will look at how the house currently performs by assessing the construction, insulation and space and water heating. They will take measurements of the property and then using official software, only available to a DEA, they will produce a certificate which will award the dwelling a rating from A to G. (The average UK house achieves a D rating).
Included in the certificate will be a list of recommendations, giving advice on how the owner can improve the property. This advice will include low-cost measures, such as fitting low energy light bulbs to all light sockets, and high cost measures, for example upgrading the boiler.
The certificate will also indicate what the new rating of the property will be if the recommendations are carried out.
Obviously at the moment the landlord is carrying out the work at a cost to themselves and it will be the tenants who are receiving the benefits.
It is felt that once tenants get used to seeing these EPC’s they will make a connection between a high rating and lower fuel bills and be more prepared to make a decision on the thermal performance of a property.
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