4th August 2017
Roger Hannah
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a guide to a building’s energy efficiency. The rating system rates a building on an ‘A – G’ rating, with ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient.
What do I need to know?
An EPC is a statutory requirement whenever a property is built, sold or rented and should include the following information:
- Details about the property’s energy use and typical energy costs.
- Recommendations to improve the property’s energy efficiency.
- An ‘A-G’ rating certificate.
The Energy Act 2011
From April 2018, it will be a mandatory statutory requirement to achieve a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’, in order to be able to market a property (both commercial and privately rented residential properties) to let or for sale.
How does this affect me?
If you are a landlord and you are renewing or granting a new lease on or after April 1, 2018, you will need to ensure that your property meets the minimum EPC rating of an ‘E’. If your property does not achieve the minimum rating, it will be unlawful to grant a new tenancy to new or existing tenants until the property achieves the minimum rating.
Even if you entered into a long lease, from April 1, 2023, landlords must not continue letting a property that has already been let if that property has an EPC rating of F or G.
Exemptions
You will not require an EPC if you can demonstrate that the building is exempt, which include:
- Listed Buildings.
- Temporary Buildings used for 2 or less years.
- Places of Worship.
- Industrial sites, workshops, and non-residential agricultural buildings that use limited energy.
- Detached buildings less than 50 sq. m.
- Properties with consent are due to be demolished.
- Buildings to be sold or rented with vacant possession.
What should I do next?
Unless it is exempt,. You will need to appoint an approved Energy Performance Assessor to review your property’s energy performance.
If the property has a rating of F or G,. The property’s energy efficiency will need to be improved to meet the minimum ‘E’ rating before granting a new tenancy or offering the property for sale.
Once upgraded, a new EPC will be required to verify the property now meets the minimum requirements.
How we can help
It is recommended that you act in good time before the April 2018 deadline to reduce the risk of a breach of the new statutory requirements and potentially incurring financial penalties.
Roger Hannah can provide you with professional guidance.
We can assist you in implementing and delivering the changes required for your building to achieve and/or exceed the minimum standards.
