Following the 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards and their amendment in 2013, it is now a requirement of all Landlords of privately rented property to obtain Energy Efficiency Certificates for each property. The premise of this is to keep an eye on the carbon footprint of landlords to ensure that they are taking necessary steps to make their properties energy efficient and while there are sceptics out there who believe this is just another way for Central Government agencies to bleed landlords dry, the fact remains that we must all try to be environmentally and ecologically friendly.

What is an EPC?

The Energy Performance Certificate gives each property a Standard Assessment Procedure (‘SAP’) rating out of 100. This equates to an energy rating of A to G, similar to those you may have seen when purchasing white goods (A being the most efficient and G the least). A qualified Energy Assessor will visit each property, gather necessary information about that property and then produce the EPC.
What does it mean for the landlord?

• The cost of each EPC is approx. £70.
• The EPC must be renewed every 10 years.
• Only one EPC per property is required.
• All landlords are required to give a copy of the EPC to every new tenant from 2008.
• EPCs are only valid if they are provided by a Domestic Energy Assessor.
• The average energy rating of a property in the UK is D or E.
• Following an Energy Assessment, you may be given recommendations on how to improve efficiency. However, you are NOT legally obliged to act on these recommendations.*

What does this mean for the tenant?

• You should ask to see a copy of the EPC when you rent a new home.
• You are not financially responsible for the cost of an EPC.
• You can contribute to the efficiency of your home by doing the following:

o Purchasing white goods with a low energy rating i.e. A
o Unplugging all appliances when not in use
o Using low energy or LED lightbulbs
o Ensuring your fridge is on the most energy efficient setting i.e. 37 degrees/3 degrees for your freezer

* Recent research carried out by easyroommate.com reports that 60% of landlords have no intention of acting on recommendations made following an assessment. However, a further amendment to the legislation comes into force on 1 April 2016 and all private rented properties must adhere to the regulation that all private rented property must have a minimum rating of Band E by 1 October 2016, and Landlords will not be able to take on any new tenancies after that date without this rating.

Please note that all Genesis100 properties have valid EPCs.