All about Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Posted under Advice by Jermaine

Effective from October 1, landlords in the UK letting their property are legally bound to furnish Energy Performance Certificate to tenants. Thousands of second property owners are confused over what they are expected to do.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) grades buildings on the basis of energy efficiency and carbon emissions. ‘A’ grade is assigned to very efficient and ‘G’ graded to poorly rated.

The report is prepared by the officially appointed qualified energy assessors. An EPC is always accompanied by recommendations which list various cost effective measures and other improvements to enhance the energy ratings of the property. It could include recommendation for installing low carbon-generating systems. The certificate also provides information as to which grade the property would be elevated if all recommendations were implemented by the owner.

EPC is mandatory for those who let their property to a new tenant, with exceptions to those landlords who take lodgers or let their second home for holiday rental.

If a property is bought for children to live in and if some of its rooms were let while children were studying in university, an EPC would not be needed.

It can cost from 50 pounds to 150 pounds, depending on the size of the property and region.

The certificate is valid for 10 years for one property. Failure to obtain a certificate results in a fine of up to 200 pounds plus fees for completion of an energy assessment.

If your property is already let, you would not require an EPC until it is rented to a new customer.