The Government has re-introduced the proposal to change the minimum energy efficiency standards from an ‘E’ rating to a minimum of a ‘C’ rating by 2030 for assured shorthold tenancies.
What you need to know about Energy Performance Certificates
When you sell or rent you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Properties are rated from band A, the most efficient, to band G the least efficient.
An EPC has:
- Information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs.
- Recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.
Certificates are valid for 10 years.
If your property is listed it may qualify for an exemption
You can read about the situations where an EPC is not required on the Government website here.
Actions you need to take
If you don’t have one or yours is out of date before marketing to let:
You must instruct an accredited assessor to produce the certificate. Even if you have a valid report your rating may have improved due to:
- The way ratings are calculated has improved over the last few years.
- Any work you’ve had done or if you’ve replaced a boiler or switched to more efficient light bulbs etc.
If your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G and you wish to rent it after 2030
If you haven’t done so already, you’ll need to take action to be able to continue to rent your property after this date. It’s a good idea to discuss a re-assessment with an assessor before you tackle any new upgrades.
Before undertaking any work, you should check your covenants and permissions as well as speak to an accredited energy assessor to discuss what improvements will work best and what you will be allowed to do at your particular property.
Our top tips for improving energy efficiency flyer will give you some ideas of some quick wins you can consider immediately.