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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) For Landlords

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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Content

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

The certificate will give each building a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure – out of 100 possible) rating, and this will equate to an energy rating from A to G (A is very efficient and G is very inefficient), similar to those already seen on white goods. In layman’s terms, the certificate will show the energy efficiency levels of a property.

The EPC is formed by a qualified Energy Assessor making a visit to your rental property and gathering vital information about the property in order to produce the certificate.

This is an example of what an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) looks like:
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Example

Do I need an EPC?

From the 1st of October 2008, Landlords must provide an Energy Performance Certificate to all new and prospective tenants. The certificates (EPCs) should be provided at no cost to prospective tenants either before or during a viewing is being conducted.

Each property is required to have it’s own EPC’s, it is not based on a “per tenant” or “per landlord” basis.

Landlords and agents need to have an EPC within seven days or marketing a property or risk getting a penalty from Trading Standards.

Where can I get an Energy Performance Certificate from?

The certificate must be produced by an accredited energy surveyor. There are plenty of providers around. All you need to do is Google something like, “Energy Performance Certificates provider [insert county]”

However, I’ve often ordered mine from lettingaproperty.com – Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for £69 (VAT included). That includes everything! And they operate nationally.

It’s important to ensure that the independent energy assessor you use is a current member of an accreditation scheme, as this ensures your energy assessor is operating to professional standards.

An EPC is only authentic if issued by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

What’s the purpose of an Energy Performance Certificate?

The EPC highlights two key areas about a rental property:

  • The energy efficiency rating (this is based on how much the home would cost to run). Essentially though, this will largely depend on the lifestyle of the tenants.
  • The environmental impact rating (this is based on how much carbon dioxide is released into the environment because of the home)

The rating is based on factors like age, property layout, construction, heating, lighting, and insulation. The ratings are standard so a tenant can compare the energy efficiency of one rental property with another.

What is the average energy rating of a house?

The typical rating for a home is D or E.

How much do Energy Performance Certificates cost?

I’ve seen them as cheap as £50, but I’ve also seen them priced at £100. It ultimately depends on the location of the property, from what I’m aware. However, I would definitely shop around for quotes, because it is competitive out there.

How often do Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) need to be renewed?

Each certificate will last for 10 years unless major renovation work is carried out on the property. Property owners can voluntarily get a new certificate after installation of energy efficiency measures – particularly if these improve the energy rating.

If a newer EPC has been produced for a home within the ten year period, only the most recent one is valid.

What does an Energy Inspection involve?

Booking an Energy Inspection is like booking any other appointment; a convenient time will be arranged to visit the rental property.

During the assessment the assessor will inspect the rental property and collect information such as external and/or internal measurements, details about the construction, and the type of heating/hot water used in your property. In order to gather the information, the assessor will need to access all rooms, the boiler and the loft.

The assessment of a 3 bed property typically takes up to 60 minutes; larger or complex properties can take longer.

After the assessment, the assessor will send you the EPC and recommendation report. The recommendation report will contain recommendations of how the property’s energy efficiency can be improved. Each recommendation will be accompanied by the typical cost savings per year as well as what the performance rating could be after improvements are made.

Do I have to improve the efficiency of my property?

If the recommendation report comes back with suggestions to improve the efficiency of your rental property, you are NOT legally obligated to act on any of the recommendations.

However, improving energy efficiency levels may make your property more desirable for prospective tenants, consequently making it easier to let.

Improving energy efficiency

The top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been:

  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Using low energy lighting
  • Using thermostatic valves on radiators
  • Loft insulation
  • Double glazing windows

What are the penalties if I do not provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

The provision of EPCs is enforced by the Trading Standards department of the local authority. If they receive a complaint that an EPC has not been provided they can impose a penalty charge on you of £200 for each breach.

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Hello? Does Anyone Know Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Exist Yet? Hello? Does Anyone Know Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Exist Yet?

16 Comments - join the conversation...

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Mike D2008-08-20 11:29:59 To put the record straight, Landlords need to be aware that HMOs will not need EPCs as at 1st October.

Prices for other rental properties are more likely to be £55 upwards. 1
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alison2009-07-31 11:05:38 i have been a tenant for 22 years my landlord wants an energy efficiencyy thingy done why now? 2
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Mike D2009-07-31 15:34:23 Alison, unless you you are a NEW tenant in the property with a NEW contract, your Landlord shouldn't need to have an EPC. BUT, he/she might want to have one done anyway to check the property over - but this work should not effect you except, of course, you will need to make the property available for the DEA to make the inspection - otherwise no skin of your teeth, as it were. However, the Landord must make the EPC available for you to look at if it is done - it might make you wonder whether he/she is making the most the property and whether recommended improvements might reduce YOUR costs in running the property. If he/she refuses to make the improvements recommended, you might wish to find somewhere CHEAPER to heat and light.... the EPC gives you the knowledge and the power...!
Yes, the Government (and local Councils) have been pathetic in not telling tenants about EPCs - they are there to help YOU decide where to live.
Landlords MUST have an EPC before they advertise the property. If they don't, they are liable to a £200 fine. Contact your local Trading Standards and report Landlords who don't provide an EPC when you make an enquiry to rent... bit draconian, but this'll get em into line and, in the end, there'll be a level playing field for Landlords (& Tenants)and all will benefit! 3
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Ben2009-10-27 23:59:59 Anyone know what happens when the property I bought had one anyway? (on the sale particulars but the estate agent is quibbling about providing the hard copy saying about when originally went on the market wasn't required). 4
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Phil Smith2010-11-04 14:42:53 As an accredited domestic energy assessor I can access the HCR Register for you to find out if there is an EPC in existence. If there is I will download and e-mail it to you without charge. If you are a tenant you have a right to see it.
I believe moves are afoot that will make it possible for anyone to access an EPC for any property where there is one in existence.
Estate agents like vendors to think that the EPC graph is the EPC but of course the EPC is usually a 5 or 6 page document of which the EPC graph is a part. 5
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RipleyEPChe2011-07-13 23:10:19 EPCs can easily be sourced locally for around 40 quid. The best think any landlord, or indeed, vendor can do is cut out the atgent and go direct. All the agent does is pass the EPC on to the same assessor and bill the landlord/vendor around 50 quid on top to pay for another cheap suit from Asda.

Many people just don't think and simply line the agents pockets. That's the way I see it, speaking as a DEA providing the cheap energy performance certificates in Ripley, Derbyshire. It may be different elsewhere, however from research and speaking to others it appears to be the same nationally, the only winners from the Introduction of the EPC is the dodgy training providers and the loathed estage agents. 6
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Mike D2011-07-14 07:43:09 Prices for EPCs have dropped significantly over the last three years. However fuel costs have skyrocketted and the market has shrunk - though rental has performed better than sales. A maximum of 5 EPCs can be managed each day (not every day as the work is not out there) so, once overheads are taken into account, a price of £60 is more realistic to make a living. 7
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Sarah2011-11-25 16:45:59 I have just applied for a flat - I paid over £200 for referencing and was not given an EPC as I forgot to ask. I was then advised that the Letting Agents should have given me an EPC before I applied, but they made no mention of it. I then wrote to them and they do have one and have sent me a copy but they say it was my obligation to ask for it. Is this correct?

Of course now I have it I see the energy rating is the lowest possible and bills are sky high - had I know this I would never have applied. 8
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Benji2011-11-25 17:16:20 Sarah,
EPC's are just common sense. They are a cut and paste exercise requiring very little knowledge of property or building construction.
What specific part of your EPC was it that you could not have worked out for yourself? 9
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Philip Smith2011-11-26 09:09:57 Sarah,

The landlord is responsible for making sure that an EPC is in existence. However his/her obligation to you is only to allow you to see it before you buy, not necessarily to give you a copy.
( The reason for HIPs being introduced was also to give transparency to prospective purchasers.) It is indeed unfortunate that you are saddled with a property with a low rating which will cost you more to heat and light.

On a positive note, now that you know what is needed to raise the rating and reduce your bills, you can badger your landlord to put some of these recommendations in place. Some will be very low cost and can be carried out virtually free of charge ( cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, low energy lights ) and any reasonable landlord would sort this for you.

Benji,

You are so far off the mark that I can't be bothered arguing with you. 10
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Sarah2011-11-26 10:13:54 @Benji - that isn't the question I asked.

@Phillip - thank you , that is helpful. I wasn't given any opportunity to see it either - no mention was made of the certificate, or how I could see it. The letting agents claim it it up to the tenant to ask to see it, not up to the agents to make sure it is seen. 11
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Blessing2012-02-03 23:11:10 If a hadoliy property is let for less than 4 months would it still be exempt if it was in use by the owners? Surely it would be better if legislation talked about occupancy instead 12
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Emma2012-04-19 10:08:07 Sarah,

May I ask which estate agents it was?

We have had the same problem.

Thank you 13
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epc2012-07-28 09:15:00 Thank you , it is a helpful site. EPCs can easily be sourced locally for around 40 quid. 14
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EPC services2012-08-04 13:45:36 A video about the energy performance certificate tells more than 1000 words. You can find a free movie on the following location http://www.epcdiensten.be/video.asp . 15
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Ajit2013-03-23 06:29:26 Well as its important now so better get it quick. You may face problems in founding the EPC provider near by well here is some Help
Go this website and get your EPC provider
http://www.rapidepc.co.uk/index.html 16

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