EPC questions and answers are provided as part of the Energy Performance Certificate guidance in the Landlords Bible.
Energy Supplier Grants
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target came into effect in April 2008 and has placed an obligation on UK energy suppliers to help reduce CO2 emissions. The benefit of this to Landlords is the availability of a wide range of subsidises for the insulation of insulation including cavity wall and loft. One little known fact is that you can take up grants and offers from any energy company, regardless of whether they supply your gas and electricity.
British Gas are currently running a scheme whereby if they install insulation at your property you become eligible for a £100 council tax rebate. This scheme is operating in conjunction with 64 local councils details of which can be found at British Gas
Green Home Service
Landlords that find the results of their EPC at the bottom of the scale with an F or G may be advised to contact this government organisation who are able to offer specialist advise and access to grants for poorly performing properties. They can be contact via the Energy Saving Trust
Ref: the advice where there are 5 tenancies and 5 separate tenancy agreements - to put the record straight, Landlords need to be aware that such HMOs will NOT need EPCs as at 1st October.
ReplyDeleteIf there is one agreement then, YES, an EPC is required.
Perverse isn't it!
Prices for other rental properties are more likely to be £55 upwards.
For your EPC requirements in the South Wales Valleys contact deadux@hotmail.co.uk
I was interested to see that you consider the average price to be £100 per property.
ReplyDeleteIf any landlords have more than one property then you should negotiate a discount i.e. we have five student properties in Exeter and have negotiated a price of £55 for each one (admittedly exluding VAT) - the normal charge from the company we're using is £75.
Good suggestion to have these forward dated - I will certainly request this. Our new tenants start searching for next year's accommodation in January'09 but we're having the EPC's done now while the properties are empty. We might as well have those extra few months added to our certificate!
There is no shortage of Domestic Energy Assessors, as the previous post states, a fee of around £55 - £65 is likely. For EPC's in Essex please contact sarah@essexhipsltd.co.uk EPC's from £55.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone help me with this question. And I am sure that more landlords will experience this after the 1st of Oct.
ReplyDeleteI am currently purchasing a property and as such the vendor has to provide an EPC - see below.
"Does everyone need an EPC?
The EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent." (source: Http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/SellingYourHome/DG_076370)
I read this as the vendor has to provide one now as they are selling the property, and by the time the sale goes thru it will be after Oct 1st which will mean I have to to provide one to future tenants when I put the property up for rent.
Question is, Can I use the EPC that the vendor purchased or do I have to fork out for another one even though the vendor EPC is only days old?
Please can anyone adivse?
Peter
ReplyDeleteIf you are buying a property - it should have an EPC as part of the HIP - (I've assumed that you're in England or Wales).
This EPC would be valid if you decided to let the property. No pain for you there!
i have 6 tenancies and 6 separate tenancy agreements in an HMO property - i only have the EPC from when i purchased the property. will i still need to get one now or only if i am selling the property. if EPCs as at 1st October will no longer be required do i need to bother
ReplyDeleteMartyn, properties let as HMO's have no requirement for an EPC provided the tenants are sharing bathroom and/or kitchen facilities. If any of the units are self contained then an EPC will be required for that unit only. You will not be able to use the EPC that was produced when the property was sold for the purpose of renting any self contained units.
ReplyDeleteIf you subsequently sell the property you can use the original EPC when it comes to marketing the property. If you have upgraded the property I would advise obtaining a new EPC to reflect any improvements made.
I should mention that if you sell the property with the tenants in situ, you would not require an EPC as the property is being sold as an investment.
Unsure about who an EPC is, or if you need one? See our EPC animation.
ReplyDeleteIt can be found at the following link - See under, what is an EPC?
Happy New Year Everyone!