EPC Ratings

Minimum E-rated EPCs for rental properties in future

Graham Norwood, writing in Letting Agent Today, reminds us that Landlords across England and Wales will be banned from letting out properties that do not meet a minimum criterion. This is in a bid to reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions.

New regulations are set to cut bills of tenants, who spend on average £1265 per annum on heating of poorly insulated homes. The government has presented regulations to parliament which will oblige landlords to upgrade energy inefficient homes. The minimum EPC rating for a rental property by April 2018 will be E. Any less than this and the landlords will be compelled to upgrade insulation to achieve a better rating.

From April 1 next year (only 14 months from now) tenants living in homes rated between F and G will be able to request improvements such as more insulation and over the following 2 years landlords will be legally bound to bring their properties up to an E rating as a minimum. Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, has said, "This is a very big measure. Effectively we are saying, if you do not improve your property up to the minimum of EPC E rating by three years' time, you will not be able to let it out. Which is quite a big stick, and it's about time too."

If a tenant requests a more efficient home and a landlord fails to comply, the landlord could ultimately be forced to pay a penalty notice. Landlords will be able to let out F and G rated properties beyond April 1 2018 for the remainder of an in-place tenancy, but will not be able to renew the contract or let to somebody else until the property is brought up to an E rating.

Jane Willows BSC
Letting Manager
Horncastle
Tel: 01507 522222
Email: lettingshorncastle@robert-bell.org
Twitter: @robertbellandco