What are Energy Performance Certificates?

The "Energy Performance Certificate" is a mandatory component of the Home Information Pack, which can only be produced by people who have the diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment.

Energy Performance Certificates are similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
Their purpose is to record how Energy efficient a property is as a building. The Certificate will provide a rating of the property from A - G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

The Environmental impact rating is a measure of a home's impact on the environment in terms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Certificate will also provide a Environmental rating of the property between A and G.

The average property in the UK is in bands D - E for both ratings.


Regulations for Rented Properties

From 1 October 2008, an EPC will be required whenever a dwelling in the social or private rented sectors is let to a new tenant. The EPC must be made available free of charge to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity. A copy of the EPC must be given to the person who takes up the tenancy;

An EPC is not required for any property that was occupied prior to 1 October 2008 and which continues to be occupied after that date by the same tenant. However, landlords may commission EPCs for these dwellings if they wish.

There is no statutory requirement to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures;

The landlord must commission an EPC and make a copy of it, including the recommendation report, available free of charge to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity. As a minimum, this should be when they are first given written information about the dwelling or are arranging to view it, and before any rental contract is entered into . A copy of the EPC (rating and recommendation report) must be given to the person who ultimately becomes the tenant.

If a landlord already has an EPC for the property, for example because they have just purchased it and the EPC was part of the Home Information Pack, this EPC can be used for the subsequent rental.

Validity period of EPCs

EPCs are valid for ten years and can be reused as many times as required within that period, unless a new EPC is commissioned, in which case the new EPC alone is valid. EPCs are not invalidated by renovation works or improvements. However, landlords may wish to obtain a new certificate to demonstrate the energy efficiency improvements to potential tenants. An EPC relates to a dwelling, and so if a building is converted so as to contain more, or fewer, separate dwellings than before, new EPCs will be required in relation to each new dwelling.

Penalties for not having an EPC

If you do not get an EPC after October 2008, you could be fined £200 for non compliance. This fine could be even larger if the Trading Standards Authority establish that you have been negligent and do not go on to obtain an EPC for your property.

Grants for Energy Saving Measures

If you own your home or rent it from a private landlord, you may be eligible for a grant of up to £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is involved) under the “Warm Front” Scheme.

If the property has previously received Warm Front improvements, the grant available will be the balance of £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is involved) less the works previously completed.

The Warm front grants are available to people in receipt of certain benefits. 

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