In order to improve the energy efficiency of rental homes across the UK, the Government will be introducing larger restrictions on the energy performance efficiency of the property.
WHAT IS THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (EPC)?
The Energy Performance Certificate is based on 2 things; Energy efficiency rating (fuel costs) and Environmental impact.
The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is.
The environmental impact rating measures the overall environmental impact on the environment based on Co2 emissions. The higher the rating the less impact it has on the environment.
SO, WHAT ARE THE NEW RESTRICTIONS?
As of April 2016 , tenants that live in properties with an energy efficiency rating of F or G will be able to ask their landlord to carry out improvments on the energy performance of the property.
From April 2018 properties in the F or G band will not quailfy to be put up for rent. Therefore you must ensure that the property falls in the A-E band. If you currently have a tenant in the property and it does not fall within the A-E band you cannot reasonably refuse neccessary improvements.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE LANDLORD?
Although the thought of improving the energy efficency of your property/properties may be daunting (as of course this is probably going to cost you money!), in the long run you may be able to charge a higher rent, you will have a happier tenant which means they are more likely to stay at the property long term or if you wish to sell in the near future , the improvements made could add overall value.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE ENERGY PERFOMANCE IS AT MY PROPERTY?
You can see what the energy performance is at your property by looking at the EPC. If you do not have a copy of the EPC or if you are unsure if your property has one you can check this by visiting the EPC Register online (follow the “Retrieve report using property address”).
If your property does not appear on this page, it will not have an EPC.
If your property appears you will be able to see its energy efficiency by opening the certificate (PDF format), the certificate will also have recommendations of how you can improve the energy efficiency. You can access the EPC register by visiting https://www.epcregister.com/.
