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Residential Energy Performance Certificates

Similarly for residential properties, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives information on the energy efficiency of the property you want to let.

The EPC is required for every newly let property. At present this law does not apply to properties with an existing tenant where the tenancy started prior to October 1st 2008.

In practice, this means you need to provide an EPC whenever a property is let to a new tenant.

Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years, and can be reused for each new tenancy within that period.

The intention of the energy performance certificate is to provide a prospective tenant information on the likely cost of running their home. The idea being that where similar properties are available, the property with a higher energy efficiency will be more attractive as a rental proposition.

The EPC should also include information on how much the house is likely to cost to heat, though makes assumptions on numbers of occupants and for how long it is heated and to what temperature. It will also be based on fuel costs at the time the EPC was produced.

How do I get an EPC and from whom?

An accredited Energy Assessor must produce EPCs

If you use an independent energy assessor make sure they are a current member of an accreditation scheme, as this ensures your energy assessor is operating to professional standards. An EPC is only authentic if issued by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). Details of accredited DEA’s can be found at www.epcregister.com

Each EPC has a unique number, which will be entered on to a national register by the Energy Assessor. Once the EPC has been created, you can download further copies in the future by using the report reference number on the top right hand side of the certificate.

What does the inspection involve?

This is usually a 60 minute visit that requires access to all rooms of the property, also access to the boiler and the loft. The assessor might take photos of the radiators, boiler, meters.

The assessor might request information on when the property was built, whether it has been extended, what insulation it has, the age of any heating appliances, type of heating fuel.

The information is fed into a standard set of software which generates the EPC and a series of recommendations.

And what if i don't?

The provision of EPCs is enforced by Trading Standards. If you do not have an EPC where one is required there is the potential penalty of £200 per breach.