Energy Performance Certificates

From 1st October 2008, Energy Performance Certificates will become mandatory for all new lets. We can confirm the following:

• It is mandatory for all new lets
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be valid for 10 years
• It can be renewed at any time should the landlord have carried out work to improve the efficiency of the property
• An EPC will not be required for a renewal of tenancy
• It applies to all residential tenancies regardless of the tenure type
• A landlord is not required to carry out any of the works suggested as a means of improving the property
• An EPC will comment on any white goods left as part of the inventory of the property
• The tenant must be provided with a copy of the EPC before the start of the tenancy
• A landlord whose tenant is in receipt of Local Housing Allowance (Housing Benefit) may find that the tenant is eligible for a grant to have some of the works, which would improve the efficiency of the property, carried out. It is the tenant who is eligible but the landlord’s permission is required and may be withheld. There may be conditions attached to this and the local authority will provide guidance when application is made by the tenant
• Houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) will also require EPCs, but only when the whole dwelling is rented out or sold; an EPC is not required if one tenant moves
• A landlord carrying out certain works may be able to claim a Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance by setting certain expenditure up to £1,500 per property against their income tax. This is in addition to any other allowable expenditure
• An EPC assessment is carried out by a domestic energy assessor
• For properties which are managed by APW, our property management teams will be able to recommend and arrange an EPC for our landlords and any works that they would like to be carried out as a result of the report
• For further information, please contact your local APW branch