EPC F and G rated properties are the most energy inefficient houses and impose unnecessary energy costs on tenants and can lead to poor health outcomes. The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 establish a minimum level of energy efficiency for privately rented property. It means that, since 1 April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic property must ensure that their properties have an EPC rating of at least E before granting or renewing a tenancy. From the 1 April 2020, landlords will not be able to continue letting a property which is already let if that property has an EPC rating of F or G.
Landlords are required to take action to ensure their properties reach an EPC rating of E but where energy efficiency improvements are being installed they may choose to aim above this target to accommodate for future changes.
In certain circumstances, an exemption may be claimed and where a valid exemption applies, landlords must register on the PRS Exemptions Register.
Further information about the regulations can be found on the government's legislation website:
Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance
Guidance on PRS exemptions and Exemptions Register evidence requirements
Since 1 October 2008 landlords, or their agents, have needed to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) whenever a home in the social or private rented sector is let to a new tenant. Landlords, or their agents, must make an EPC available, free of charge, to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity. This should be when they are first given written information about the property or view it, and before any rental contract is entered into. An EPC is not required for any property that was occupied before 1 October 2008 and which continues to be occupied after that date by the same tenant.
The council are responsible for enforcing the regulations and can ask a landlord or letting agent to provide them with a copy of an EPC for inspection. If requested, a copy of the EPC must be provided within 7 days or the person issued with the request may be issued with a civil penalty charge of £200 for failing to comply with the EPC obligations.
A number of amendments to the original regulations covering the provision of Energy Performance Certificates have been introduced over subsequent years and were consolidated in December 2012.
The government has produced a guide to energy performance certificates.
A Guide to Energy Performance Certificates (pdf 325kb)
Only accredited domestic energy assessors and home inspectors can produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If you use an independent energy assessor make sure they are a current member of an accreditation scheme, as this ensures your energy assessor is operating to professional standards. An EPC is only authentic if issued by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).
Details of accredited DEA’s can be found at the Energy Performance Register.
Energy Performance Register (external website)