Pepys Street RTM Company Limited

Energy Performance Certificate

If you are a Landlord looking to rent your flat at 1 Pepys Street after the 1 October 2008 you will be required by law to provide new tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate.

These certificates are for all buildings and will be required whenever a property is constructed, rented or sold. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a property from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

Because EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage, the energy efficiency of one property can easily be compared with another of the same type. This in theory will allow prospective tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from the property so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the property. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.

A Landlord can only obtain an EPC from a licensed Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). Expect to pay between £65 and £100 for an EPC which is valid for ten years.

Landlords or letting agents that don't have a valid EPC risk being reported to the Local Trading Standards and also the Office of Fair Trading. Penalties include fines of up to £5,000 and loss of the right to operate. Most Letting Agents can arrange an EPC or you can find an accredited domestic energy assessor at www.hcrregister.com

Rendall and Rittner Lettings Ltd also offer this service and have negotiated a rate of £80 plus VAT with a local company. The Assessor will usually require 48 hours notice prior to visiting a property.

Contact:

For more information on EPCs see Directgov - public services all in one place.