haart which is part of the Spicerhaart group, Britain’s largest independent estate agency which also includes Spicer McColl, Felicity J. Lord, Darlows and Haybrook, says that from 1st October all rental properties with a new tenancy will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which measures the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a property on a scale of between A to G.
Managing Director of Spicerhaart Residential Lettings Andrew Berry explained: “If landlords do not comply they could be fined up to £200 so it is important that they get ready for the new legislation. They will need to commission an EPC from an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) but your lettings agent should be able to help you do this. We can advise landlords on what they need to do and what measures they can take to make their properties more energy-efficient.”
An EPC is valid for 10 years and Andrew suggests there are some simple measures a landlord can take to ensure their property’s energy rating is as high as possible. These include fitting a hot water tank jacket, installing new loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
He added: “It is very important that landlords are aware of the new EPC legislation and how important it is to comply. Our branches are always delighted to assist wherever they can.”