- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is valid for 10 years and its’ purpose is to inform the tenant and landlord/letting agent of the properties energy efficiency rating and how to reduce the energy costs of that property.
- The UK government ‘s legislation introduced in early January 2013 specifies that landlords/letting agents are required to produce an up-to-date copy of the properties EPC for potential tenants to view.
- At the beginning of a tenancy the landlord/letting agent has the duty to provide free of charge an up-to-date EPC to the tenant. This applies even if the tenant is only interested in viewing the property and has not yet made his/her mind up as to renting the property. The EPC will be a good indicator for the tenant to assess the energy costs of the property.
What should be expected to be seen on an EPC? It should contain the following:
- The letting documents should clearly contain and show the EPC rating of the property which is being let. When a property is being advertised, the EPC rating should be displayed on all advertising documents. If the property is being advertised on the internet, it should clearly show the EPC rating:
- The name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
- Suggestions and advice on how to use and save on energy costs.
- Suggestions and advice on energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.
- Colour coded information on home energy use and average energy costs.
- Details of whom to make a complaint.
