Since the first of October 2008 any property in England, Wales or Scotland requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when its being built, marketed for Sale or for Let.
Currently the legislation stipulated that the EPC is rated at “E” or above. The EPC certificate lasts for 10 years and after this time landlords are only required to get a new EPC if they are re-letting the property.
As part of the Governments public commitment to be net zero by 2050, a minimum Energy Performance of Buildings (No. 2) bill has gone through to parliament.
EPC Changes and Landlord Responsibilities
If this bill is accepted or some thing very close to the proposed changes then this could mean that by 2025
- All new tenancy will have to have an EPC rating of “C” or above from 31 December 2025
- All existing tenancies must have an EPC rating of “C” or above from 31 December 2028
What does this mean for landlords…. It means taking stock of the current rate and how you can improve that to move up to a “C” rate.
Why should you look at this now? Well depending on the current EPC grade the work that you will have to do to get the grade up to a C may mean more significant energy improvements than just loft insulation, energy efficient light bulbs. You may have to upgrade the heating system replace windows which you may need to save up for.
Improving Energy Performance
The first things to do however is look at the EPC certificate that has been carried out as it has a break down of the property’s performance and then a further section which has suggestions on how to improve the energy performance and the grades you can achieve from doing that work.
The government is committed to a greener future, so it is very likely that these measures or a form of them will come in for landlords so its worth getting prepared now.
If you would like more advice, please give us a call.
