EPC Legislation
From April 2018 changes to legislation will make it unlawful to let residential properties with an Energy Performance Certificate with a rating of below an E.
In an attempt to ensure that all tenants enjoy a right to living in an energy efficient home, a new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) will be phased in by the Government.
- From the 1st of April 2018, private rental properties must achieve an energy efficiency rating of at least ‘E’ on their Energy Performance certificate (EPC). The regulations will initially only apply upon the granting of a new tenancy to either a new tenant, or an existing tenant.
- From the 1st April 2020, the regulations will apply to all privately rented properties which are required to have an EPC.
- Energy performance Certificates expire after 10 years.
- There are financial penalties for non-compliance of up to £5000 in the domestic sector.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Government statistics report that 26% of domestic EPC’s fall in to the category of below an E rating, so in reality it is likely that you will need to do nothing and your property is already compliant. You can check the EPC for your property on the Government register at: www.epcregister.com.
If the EPC for your property does fall below an E you can look at the ‘Recommendations’ section on the EPC to determine what works could be carried out to bring the property up to the required level of an E rating.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE PROCESS FOR ASSESSING A PROPERTY CONTINUES TO CHANGE AND IT MAY BE PRUDENT TO ORGANISE ANOTHER EPC, RATHER THAN RELY ON ADVICE GIVEN ON AN OLDER EPC.
There are some exemptions where rental properties are not required to have an EPC, for example listed buildings, therefore where a property does not require an EPC they will be exempt from the legislation. There are also some exemptions where properties will not be required to have works carried out even if they have a rating of below an E, which we can advise you of further.
To find out further details please click on the button below to take you to the full details on the Government website. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Please rest assured that we are here to help, guide and assist you through this process. If you would like to discuss this or any other matter please feel free to contact one of our offices.
