Landlords are your EPC’s up to scratch?

If you are a landlord or contemplating becoming a landlord, it is advisable you start planning for the energy changes coming into force in April 2018.

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An Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) is required on any property sold or sub let and must be provided to any new tenant.

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As a reminder an EPC is a certificate shows the energy efficiency rating of the Property and contains recommendations as to how the rating can be improved.

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The rating given to the property is expressed by colour and letters; with red (letter G) indicating an inefficient property and dark green (letter A) indicating a very efficient property. The more energy efficient a property is, the lower the running costs should be. A rating given to a property is based on factors such as insulation, heating and hot water systems, ventilation and fuels used.

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From April 2018, landlords will need to ensure the property being rented out to tenant(s) has at least an energy rating of ‘E’ and if it is not, the property can not be rented out.

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Obviously this could have expensive consequences especially on older houses which are not as efficient and it is recommended landlords look at improving the EPC rating before this date so they do not fall foul of the new legislation and find their investment property becoming no longer fulfilling the rental criteria.

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The EPC register can be accessed by following the below link and searching using the property address: https://www.epcregister.com/reportSearchAddressByPostcode.html

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For further information on how to protect your prospective investment property, please call our Syston team on 0116 402 6688.

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The EPC register can be accessed by following the below link and searching using the property address: https://www.epcregister.com/reportSearchAddressByPostcode.html