Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

If you are buying or selling a home you now need a certificate by law. Since October 2008 EPC's have been required for whenever a building is built, sold or rented out.

The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'.

Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient

Landlord Alert - 1 October 2008

From this date your rented property will need an Energy Performance Certificate.
You must be able to provide a copy, free of charge, to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity - when the potential Tenant asks for information about the property or asks to view it.

You cannot sign a Tenancy Agreement or Lease until a copy has been provided.
EPC's for rented dwellings, unlike those being sold, have a shelf life of 10 years - you can produce the same EPC over and over again to tenants during its lifetime. Although, if you have made any improvements as suggested in the EPC's accompanying recommendation report, you may want a new EPC that recognises these.

EPC's are prepared by a qualified assessor who will inspect the building and having carried out calculations to assess the energy efficiency of the building, will issue a certificate with a rating similar to those seen on white goods. An ‘A' rating is at the top of the scale and the lowest rating is a ‘G'.

If a Tenant is already occupying the property as at 1 October 2008 you will not immediately need an EPC. Nor will you need to provide that Tenant with one if the Tenancy Agreement is extended - you will however need to ensure you have a valid EPC when any new Tenancy Agreement is entered into whether with an existing Tenant or a new one.

Remember it is your obligation as the ‘Relevant Person' to get an EPC. Breach of these rules can result in a Penalty Charge Notice issued by Trading Standards Officers and a fine.

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