Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) For Dwellings In The Social And Private Rented Sectors

Since 1st October 2008 an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be provided by private Landlords free of charge to prospective Tenant which will detail its energy rating. The EPC must be given when any written information about the property is provided or when a viewing is conducted and must always be handed to the actual Tenant at the commencement of the tenancy. An EPC is not required for any property that was occupied prior to 1 October 2008 only when the Tenant changes. Warning!  The EPC is mandatory and you could be fined £200 for non-compliance. The Domestic Energy Assessor will visit the property to assess the age, construction and location of the property together with it’s current heating systems, insulation, double glazing, etc. With rising energy costs Tenant will be actively seeking out energy efficient properties and a recent survey has shown that 9 in 10 Tenant have said that the EPC ratings would affect their choice of property. Prospective Tenant will be able to see at a glance how energy efficient and environmentally friendly your properties are. If you have invested in energy saving measures your properties will perform well and will really stand out from the crowd. If not you may find them harder to rent out in the future.

The required Inspection in order to produce the EPC can be carried out by our Domestic Energy Assessor as and when they become necessary. For any further information speak to Lucy Rose at Cherwell Property.

WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE MY ENERGY RATING AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE?

1. Insulating your property This is the most cost effective measure you can take. In most cases cavity wall insulation is straightforward, inexpensive and hassle-free. Installing new loft insulation in most properties is an easy DIY job and should be done to a depth of 270 mm.

2. Replacing your boiler If your boiler is over 15 years old it’s probably time to replace it and you’ll get a better rating if you combine it with modern heating controls. If you need to save space, buy a combi boiler, which does not store hot water in a tank but heats water directly from the cold water mains as it is used.

3. Hot water tank jacket Fit a hot water tank jacket to your existing hot water tank.

4. Double glazing While double glazing can be fairly expensive, it will reduce noise and lower heating bills.

5. New Appliances When purchasing new appliances look out for the Energy Saving Recommended logo, and choose the most energy efficient in their category.