The Government is introducing a number of energy and cost savings measures to make all buildings more energy efficient. The measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD).
From the 1st October 2008 the EU Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) mandates that a landlord must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for new tenants. The EPBD states that the relevant person (landlord) shall provide a valid EPC to any prospective buyer or tenant and provide an EPC in any event entering into a contract to sell or rent out the building.
If you are renting out your property (buy-to-lets), you will need to provide a certificate to any prospective tenant; however, you will not need to obtain an EPC for an existing tenancy. The EPC, once obtained, is valid for 10yrs, thus if a valid Energy Performance Certificate still exists when changing tenants a new certificate is not required.
What does this mean for the Landlord and the Tenant?
- The landlord must provide an EPC (attach to Tenancy Agreement) for new tenants from the 1st October 2008
- The landlord is not required to provide an EPC to existing tenants on the 1st October 2008
- The landlord is not required to provide an EPC for tenancy renewals
- The EPC provides information that may help reduce the running costs of the property.
- The energy rating can help rent out a property by indicating to prospective buyer/tenant how energy efficient the property is.
- The prospective tenant can view the likely energy costs per year, of running a property that is being considered for rent.
Energy Savings: Grants
There are a number of Energy companies required by the government to offer grants to homeowners and landlords providing financial assistance for energy improvements carried out on domestic properties. They are obliged by the Energy Efficiency Commitment to provide grants for homeowners/landlords to install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. To find out more about these grants and who offers them in the local area, call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 or visit the Energy Saving Trust website (www.energysavingtrust.org.)
Warm Front (www.warmfront.co.uk) is a government scheme tackling the issue of fuel poverty by providing financial assistance for people on certain benefits to install insulation and heating systems. Financial assistance is available to tenants of private sector housing as well as those who own their own home. If one of your tenants is on any, of a range of benefits, they can apply to Warm Front for assistance. Warm Front will contact the landlord for authority to carry out the work at no cost to the landlord or the tenant.
Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA) is an allowance that can be claimed by private landlords who pay income tax. The LESA means that landlords can claim a deduction for income tax purposes (up to a maximum of £1500) against their rental profits when they install cavity or solid wall insulation, loft insulation or insulation for hot water systems in any of their rental properties.
EPC Westcountry, provide Energy Performance Certificates to private landlords and letting agents throughout Devon and Cornwall. We offer a fast, friendly and professional local service to our clients. If you are a landlord/letting agent and have more than one property that requires an EPC, or a number of properties within the same area (subject to being accessible on the same date) EPC Westcountry will offer a reduced rate on your Energy Performance Certificates.
Fees:
Please call or use the contact us form for a quote.
* We offer attractive rates to continued business clients and landlords requiring EPCs on multiple properties. Please use the ‘contact us’ form or call EPC Westcountry on 07896 083 206 to discuss how we can offer you great savings on your EPCs.
* From the 30th June 2011 Holiday Accomodation require an EPC for properties let for more than 4 months in any 12 month period
