From April 6th, landlords and letting agents will be required to produce a new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all rental properties in England and Wales. This is designed to ensure that residential and commercial lets adhere to the same rules applicable to properties for sale.
How will the new EPCs affect landlords?
Landlords and letting agents must ensure an EPC has been commissioned before they begin to market the property; Trading Standards officials will be given powers to check up whether this has been done. Once an EPC has been commissioned, it must be made available within twenty-eight days (and preferably within seven days) of the property being marketed. The front page of the EPC should be included with any documents produced to market the property, whether you are advertising via an online website, or via any other outlet.
Previously, landlords did not have to produce an EPC until just before contracts were signed, but under the new rules, prospective tenants now have the right to see the EPC before they make an appointment to view the property—which means they are better able to make a judgement as to the energy efficiency of the property before they commit to a rental term. The design of the EPC has also been improved to make it easier to understand—details about energy costs and how to improve them are clearer.
What happens if you fail to adhere to the new regulations?
A failure to comply means you face fines of up to £200 for residential properties and £5,000 for commercial properties, so it makes sense to fall into line with the new regulations!
