Landlord EPCs

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.

Quantock Energy Solutions can provide Energy Performance Certificates for individual buy-to-let properties or a portfilio of properties. We are already producing EPCs for forward thinking Landlords and Agents. There is expected to be a rush in demand as we approach October 2008.

Please contact use for a quote, (bulk discounts apply)

07798 835212

Landlords might want to look at the following HMRC website and the Landlord Energy Saving Allowance scheme.