what need to rent property
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR LANDLORDS….
From 6 April 2012, landlords and letting agents will have just seven days to produce an EPC to prospective tenants after they’ve started marketing a property, rather than the previous 28 day period. The full report including recommendation to improve the energy efficiency of the property must also be provided whereas at the moment only the graph showing energy efficiency is required. (This report is not the same as the annual CP12 Gas Safety Certificate.)
From April 2018 it will be unlawful to rent out any premises, including commercial premises, that have an energy efficiency rating of less than E.
The penalties for non-compliance are not changing. This will continue to be enforced by Trading Standards officers with the issuing of penalty charge notices. Currently the penalty for non-compliance for the sale or letting of a dwelling is £200.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy costs. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC. If a building is made up of separate units, each with its own heating system, each unit will require an EPC. So if you are a private landlord with a block of flats, each flat will require an EPC.
EPCs carry ratings which compare the current energy efficiency and estimated costs of energy use. The rating measures the energy efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, with ‘G’ being the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is ‘D’. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.
You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient thus keeping energy bills low.
Regardless of the benefits of the EPC, you do need to make sure that it is completed by a Registered Domestic Energy Assessor. The certificates cost around £50 plus VAT*. Private Landlord Directory has a list of recommended tradesmen so you will be able to find a list of EPC Assessors near you.
* This is a guide price only and cannot be used as a quote
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