Energy Performance Certificate is now mandatory for residential landlords

Posted under General by Jermaine

Effective 1st October 2008, residential landlords in England and Wales are bound by the new government scheme to furnish new tenants a certificate regarding energy efficiency of their rental property.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) would allow a potential tenant to know fuel costs before renting property.

Rented buildings would be given EPC detailing efficiency on A to G scale. Grading would involve examination of boiler performance, efficiency of appliances, double-glazing and insulation.

Landlords failing to comply with the scheme would incur repeatable fine of £200 for each un-assessed property.

The cost of an EPC varied from £50 to £150 depending on region and the accredited assessing agency.

All the EU members are supposed to implement the Energy Performance Certificate scheme before the beginning of next year.

Tenants seeking energy-efficient properties and value for money have welcomed the new scheme.

The National Landlords’ Association has urged its members to obtain EPC as soon as possible and avoid being debarred from re-letting property after expiry of existing rental contract. According to its chairman, compliance to EPC was necessary to avoid void periods which no landlord liked to afford.

The list of accredited assessor could be availed on the Landmark Information Group’s website.