Landlords warned over energy certificates

The National Landlords Association (NLA) is warning UK landlords that they will face considerable fines if they fail to provide tenants with an energy performance certificate from October 2008.

The trade association says that the total amount for UK landlords could exceed £500 million.

With the introduction of EPCs for the private-rented sector, details of the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a rental property will need to be made available to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity. The NLA says that although climate change may not always be a landlord’s first thought, an energy efficient property with lower fuel bills will be more attractive to cash-strapped renters.

An EPC is currently valid for 10 years and can be reused as many times as required within that period. Landlords do not have to commission a new EPC each time a new tenancy starts but they are required to give a copy of the latest EPC to new tenants. Furthermore, while landlords are not obliged to make any of the changes suggested on the EPC, measures which could be taken to improve the property’s energy efficiency and environmental impact rating are highlighted.

NLA EPCs is now offering certificates for NLA members for £69 including VAT per certificate. Once the EPC has been commissioned and paid for, landlords can track its progress online. Should landlords need any further support, there is a dedicated client support team on hand to answer.

David Salusbury, chairman of the NLA, said: “Many landlords across the country are already investing in energy saving measures in response to a growing market demand for environmentally-friendly properties. Although it’s certainly true that we would have preferred the market to have led this movement towards more energy efficient homes, the NLA, as always, is seeking to make it as easy as possible for landlords to comply with the new rules.”

Robin Marcus, director at online conveyance Easier2move said: “Buildings currently account for nearly half of all UK carbon emissions, which clearly shows that all measures to tackle climate change on dwellings is a serious and urgent matter.

“With Energy Performance Certificates becoming compulsory on all private rented properties from 1 October this year, lettings will be bought in line with sales, showing that the Government is making a step in the right direction to improving the energy efficiency of all properties within the UK.

“Easier2move will be providing an easy to use EPC for lettings service at a competitive price that will be announced well before the 1 October deadline. We aim to provide introducers with a value added service as well as the opportunity to earn additional income through referral fees at this difficult time in the market.

“We therefore urge agents and advisers to speak with landlords in order to ensure that they are aware of the introduction of EPCs to lettings in order to avoid an unnecessary fine.”