Comments on: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) For Landlords

By: Blessing

Blessing — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:11:10 +0000

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

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:13:54 +0000

@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.

By: Philip Smith

Philip Smith — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:09:57 +0000

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.

By: Benji

Benji — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:16:20 +0000

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?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:45:59 +0000

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.

By: Mike D

Mike D — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:43:09 +0000

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.

By: RipleyEPChe

RipleyEPChe — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:10:19 +0000

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.

By: Phil Smith

Phil Smith — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:42:53 +0000

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.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:59:59 +0000

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).

By: Mike D

Mike D — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:34:23 +0000

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!