How long does an EPC last for renting?
The first question you might be asking is, 'what is an EPC' and is it something a landlord or tenant needs to worry about? This guide will take you through some of the basic things you need to know about an EPC and EPC regulations.
What is an EPC?
An energy performance certificate (EPC) looks at the energy performance of a property. The energy performance is then rated, with "A" representing the most energy efficient property, and a G rating representing the least energy efficient property.
The average EPC rating for a UK home is D.
Do I need an EPC?
EPCs were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007. They were also introduced to Scotland in 2008.
In 2015 legislation was passed in England and Wales that meant all new tenancies from 1st April 2018 would need to meet a minimum energy performance rating of 'E'.
Further changes were made on 1st April 2020 which meant the minimum energy efficiency rating of 'E' would apply to all existing tenancies as well - not just new ones. It is also a legal requirement if you are looking to sell your home. In Scotland, any new tenancy will required the property to have an EPC of at least band E from October 2020, and by 31 March 2022, all properties will need to have at least EPC band E rating.
Who is the person responsible for an EPC being in place?
The responsibility lies with the person who owns the property. If the property is rented out this is the landlords responsibility. As a landlord you can be fined and issued with a penalty charge notice if you do not adhere to the regulations. It's best not to break the rules!
Who carries out the EPC?
Regulations state than an EPC can only be issued by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor. They will carry out an energy assessment of the building, and will also show a building's environmental impact by indicating its carbon dioxide emissions. Finally they will issue a rating that shows the energy performance of the building. A minimum EPC rating of E is required to rent a property out.
What impacts an EPC rating?
Lots of factors can impact the EPC rating of a home, and rental properties are evaluated in the same way as a non rental property. Things like wall, floor and roof insulation, boiler efficiency, heating systems and even the type of light bulbs used will be an energy performance indicator for a building. Solar panels can also help the EPC rating. The lower the energy rating the higher your energy usage will be and therefore the greater the running costs.
How long is an EPC valid for?
A valid EPC will last for 10 years. A new EPC should be arranged for a rental property as soon as an existing certificate expires to maintain a valid EPC at all times.
Does an EPC have to take place each time new tenants move in?
The short answer is no. A new EPC is not required for a rental property if the tenants change.
How do I know if the property I rent has a valid EPC?
As tenants, you can find out if the property has a valid EPC by going here. You will need to click on domestic EPC registers. Once there, you can view the EPC report by property address which will also show the energy rating / energy performance.
What if my EPC rating is low?
Typically, the lower the rating, the more you'll end up spending on fuel costs in the home. A number of energy efficiency improvements can be introduced and as tenants it is worth speaking to your landlords about this. Loft insulation as an example would make a big difference. There are lots of Government incentives to help improve the energy performance of properties and more information can be found at the following Government website. Tenants could also alert landlords to the a range of ECO funding and more information can be found here.
Whilst a property can be rented out with an an EPC rating of e, this doesn't mean improvements in energy performance shouldn't be carried out.
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Remember the information provided in this article is for information purposes only and should not be considered as advice.
