As you will already know, in most cases you need to have an Energy Performance Certificate for your property:
However new rules are due to come into force:
Under these new rules, you will need to have a minimum energy efficiency rating of E or more.
So, you need to check all your properties and see whether an EPC is required, if so what existing rating they have and, if it is F or G, what you need to do to improve it.
NB. If your EPC was done some time ago it may be worth getting it re-done – as the methodologies underpinning the EPC calculations change from time to time – so you may get a different result when you get a new EPC even if the building has not changed.
You can search for an accredited assessor to do your EPC assessment and provide your certificate >> here.
The regulations only apply to certain tenancy types (in particular ASTs) and to properties which are required to have an EPC.
Landlords will avoid the penalties where the rating is below E if:
Examples of exemptions include:
If any of these exemptions apply you will need to register them on the National PRS Exemptions Register, before 1 April 2018.
At the time of writing, the register is not yet live and is running as a pilot. We are told that you will be able to access it from >> this page.
If your property is covered by the regulations but you qualify for a valid exemption you will need to register this, along with supporting documentation.
Registration will generally give an exemption for five years unless:
You will need to set up a unique account when registering – no doubt further information will become available nearer the time.
The register will be used by Local Authority Enforcement Officers as part of their work. Limited public access will also be available.
It is very important that Landlords get to grips with this ASAP – as if you have not upgraded your property or if you cannot claim an exemption (and have not registered your exemption on the National PRS Exemptions Register) then, after 1 April 2018, you can be fined.
However, the regulations are not unreasonable and many landlords will be able to claim an exemption. The main thing is to check this out well in advance of the regulations coming into force.
Full information on the new rules can be found on the government guidance documentation which you will find here.
Also, further information on this and other topics can also be found on my Landlord Law Blog at www.landlordlawblog.co.uk .
Tessa is a lawyer specialising in landlord & tenant law and runs the popular Landlord Law online service for landlords.
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