NEW ENERGY PERFORMANCE RULES – DO YOU KNOW YOUR LIABILITIES AS A LANDLORD?

EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) are something we are all familiar with nowadays. The charts help show how energy efficient properties are and when looking to rent somewhere, they have to be included in the marketing material, so you can see what sort of expenditure you’re looking at to heat your home. The government also use this information as it is stored online, and is used to regulate standards.

The EPC is graded between A-E with A being the highest rating. The Government have made a major amendment to the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, in that, by now all let properties, commercial and residential will have to be a minimum E grade or higher.

This will see landlords facing civil penalties if granting new or renewing tenancies to properties that either are a F or a G grade in energy efficiency. It is stated this will be up to £4000 per penalty! Furthermore, it could devalue your property by up to 5% by having a low grading!

The works needed to be undertaken by landlords to increase their energy efficiency are things like, double glazed windows, sufficient loft insulation or modern heating systems.

Here at Lawton & Dawe we suggest if you are unsure to talk to either Lee or Pippa who can give you sound advice on how best to prepare yourselves for this new amendment in legislation.

Call us today on 01273-917791 to ensure your grades are up!