Currently in hot debate, Landlord Energy Performance Certificates are they are waste of Energy and are we just looking at them as another political blunder in the Property Industry.
Source: J Daines, LettingaProperty.com
I have to admit that when EPC’s were first launched for HIPS, I was of the mind that a) they are pointless and purchaser’s won’t look at them b) just another hassle for Estate Agents and Vendors to get over and c) adding more cost the Homeowner. Of course, this is only my opinion however, I believe that these questions echo the thoughts of at least half the UK population; it certainly is of most of the people we come into contact with on a daily basis.
What are EPC’s really all about? Do we really understand what the Government is trying to achieve. The answer I guess would be… no.
direct.gov.uk, states that “Buildings produce nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions! That’s almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions.”
If you think about it from a global perspective, this is a serious issue and it is about time someone starts to act on it! Having done a little research into climate change, my opinions about EPC’s have changed, or at least, I try to see them from a different perspective.
The only difficulty now, is trying to change the perception of the Industry to actually act on the EPC’s rather than seeing then as another “Tick in the Box” when renting a property.
Are you a Landlord or Letting Agent? What are your thoughts about EPC’s?
We would love to hear them!
LettingaProperty Team.
A couple of facts regarding EPC’s:
EPC’s for Landlords are required by law as from the 1st October 2008.
- When buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants.
- The EPC and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by a landlord to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than:
- when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective tenant; or
- when a viewing is conducted; or
- if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.
- An Energy Performance Certificate does not have to be made available if:
- the landlord believes that the prospective tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property; or
- the landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination)
- An EPC for rented property is valid for ten years.
- The only person who is able to produce an Energy Performance Certificate is an accredited energy assessor.
More information regarding climate change at energysavingtrust.org.uk and regarding EPC’s at communities.gov.uk and campaigns.direct.gov.uk/epc/
