EDIT 22/09/2008: We have secured a price reduction on Energy Performance Certificates to £67+VAT nationwide and are please to be able to pass this saving on to you. Please follow the links below to book your EPCs online now.
ORIGINAL POST 04/09/2008: If you have an investment property with a tenant whose AST is due to expire soon and doesn’t intend to renew, then unless you are planning on selling the property you will need to get another tenant or suffer an expensive void in your rental income.
From 1st October it will be illegal for you to take on this new tenant without an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC lasts for 10 years but you will need to get one before taking on your first new tenant. If you don’t do so, you will be liable for a £200 fine!
There’s sure to be a short-term panic, and over-demand for for the Accredited Energy Assessors in the first few weeks of October, so the best plan is to get an EPC done now before the deadline which is under 4 weeks (just 18 working days) away.
To help make this extra administrative burden as painless as possible, we have found a UK-wide EPC provider to do this for you, whether your portfolio contains one property or one hundred. The price is just £85+VAT £67+VAT for a single property, with discounts available if you have a large portfolio. And then you’re covered for 10 years, so do it now and then forget about it!
==> Contact Me About An Energy Performance Certificate
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) forms part of the Home Information Pack (HIP).
An Energy Performance Certificate will rate your property according to its energy efficiency on a scale of A to G, similar to the ratings you see on white goods such as washing machines and fridge freezers.
Why Do I Need an Energy Performance Certificate?
EPCs are being introduced for all sales and lettings of property on a phased scheme. By 1 October 2008 let residential property MUST have a valid EPC when it is let to a new tenant.
The EPC scheme applied to commercial property from 6 April 2008 (1000 sq M+), 1 July 2008 (500 Sq M +), and 1 Oct 2008 (All).
There is likely to be a rush by Landlords to obtain their Energy Performance Certificates in the period running up to the 1st October deadline. As a result, Summit Properties are pleased to confirm that we are able to arrange the provision of EPCs to our clients through our partner company at a cost of £85+VAT £67+VAT per EPC.
==> Contact Me About An Energy Performance Certificate
Who Can Perform an EPC?
An EPC can only be carried out by an Accredited Energy Assessor. For let residential property this must be a qualified and accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or a Home Inspector, and should take between 45 minutes and an hour and a half depending on the size of your property.
What Happens To The EPC?
All EPCs are to be held on a central register and can only be accessed by the landlord or person who is responsible for commissioning the EPC, although it must be made available for viewing by prospective buyers or tenants.
An EPC is valid for ten years on let property. If changes are made to the property which may affect the energy efficiency of a property, then a new EPC should be commissioned before a new letting takes place.
The theory goes that from the EPC, a potential tenant can see just how much it is likely to cost to heat and run the house for a year. Publicity will be aimed at tenants encouraging them to assess properties through the EPC before taking up a tenancy. The impact of this for the landlord is that tenants will be more aware of these issues and will become more selective on energy efficiency.
Following the introduction of Home Information Packs and the compulsory Energy Performance Certificates which appear within the packs, the government is widening the circumstances in which an EPC is required. As from 1 October 2008, any landlord of a residential property must have an EPC available for prospective tenants to inspect when they view or request information about the property.
==> Contact Me About An Energy Performance Certificate
What If I Don’t Have an Energy Performance Certificate?
Any landlord not complying with this obligation risks enforcement action being taken by the local authority and a fine of £200.00 per property. For those clients with a large portfolio of properties on short term lettings, the risk soon becomes substantial.
Our partner works to key time and service standards and is able to provide access to all parts of the UK through their network of assessors. Professional indemnity insurance ensures your interests are protected at all times.
If you require further information, would like to discuss your obligations further, or would like to arrange for a EPC on one or more properties in your portfolio please complete the short form below:
==> Contact Me About An Energy Performance Certificate
