Renting out your first property can feel like an overwhelming responsibility when faced with all the latest regulations. In this week’s blog we’re giving you a quick guide to the Energy Performance Certificate.
The Energy Performance Certificate policy was first introduced in 2007. The motive was to nudge property owners to prioritise their property’s energy efficiency.
The EPC gives a property an energy rating from A (good) to G (poor). Recommendations are also provided on the certificate on how to improve your rating. Once issued, the EPC is valid for 10 years.
EPCs can be reused as necessary. Landlords are not required to provide a new EPC each time there is a change of tenancy, or the property is sold. However, the most recent EPC must be provided to the prospective buyer or tenant of the property at the earliest time possible. In April 2018 it became compulsory for all tenanted properties to have an energy rating above ‘E’, unless an appropriate exemption is registered.
An EPC must be produced by an accredited energy assessor. This means the assessor must be a member of an approved accreditation scheme. To check that an energy assessor is a member of an accreditation scheme, a search facility is available on the central register website.
Follow the link for more information on EPCs A guide to Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
