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EPC's for all new lets from 1st October 2008
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EPC'S FOR ALL NEW LETS FROM 1ST OCTOBER 2008
As many of you may know Energy Performance Certificates become mandatory for all new lets starting from 1st October 2008.
Some of the rules for this are still unclear, the NAEA have asked for clarification from Communities and Local Government responsible for this. What can be confirmed is:
1) It is mandatory for all new lets
2) An Energy Performance Certificate will be valid for 10 years
3) It can be renewed at any time should the landlord have carried out any work to improve the efficiency of the property
4) An EPC will not be required for a renewal of tenancy
5) It applies to all residential tenancies regardless of the tenure type
6) A landlord is not required to carry out any of the works suggested as a means of improving the property
7) An EPC will comment on any white goods left as part of the inventory of the property
8) An EPC must be available to any prospective tenant before they have committed to the property or have viewed the property
9) The tenant must be provided with a copy of the EPC before the start of a tenancy. This of course will require agents and landlords to be able to exhibit an EPC in September or even earlier if the tenancy does not start till 1st October or later. Care will therefore be required with student lets starting in October where the property may already have been reserved, as an EPC will be required before the start of the tenancy.
10) A landlord whose tenant is in receipt of Local Housing Allowance (Housing Benefit) may find that the tenant is eligible for a grant to have some of the works which would improve the efficiency of the property carried out. It is the tenant who is eligible but the landlord's permission is required and may be withheld. There may be conditions attached to this and the local authority will provide guidance when application is made by the tenant.
11) A landlord carrying out certain works may be able to claim a Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance by setting certain expenditure up to £1500 per property against their income tax. This is in addition to any other allowable expenditure.
12) An EPC is carried out by a domestic energy assessor.
13) A guidance leaflet is being produced by Communities and Local Government.
If you require more information or wish Morgan Beddoe to arrange for an EPC to be carried out on your property please do not hesitate to contact us.