10. EPCs and Private Landlords Flashcards
The need for EPC comes from where?
European legislation (EPBD Article 7)
All new lettings of residential property after what date require EPCs?
1st October 2008
Whose responsibility is it to provide the EPC?
The landlords
If an agent takes on this responsibility, any breach would cause what?
A problem for the landlord, who could then sue the agent, as well as the agent being directly responsible
Marketing of a property can begin when?
As soon as the EPC is commissioned, but the EPC must be available when details are given to an applicant or viewing arranged
EPCs must be available to prospective tenants before what?
Before details are given or a viewing arranged
The EPC should be available within …
7 days
If the EPC is not available in seven days, a further how many days is allowed?
21 days
If marketing continues after 28 days without an EPC… what can happen?
The TSO can issue a penalty charge notice, even if there is a genuine reason for the delay
The EPC can be made available where?
Within the letting agent’s office or sent electronically if the recipient agrees
A copy of the EPC must be given to who?
The tenant free of charge (before the tenancy begins)
EPCs are not required when?
Where leases are renewed to existing tenants or when tenants share essential facilities such as in an HMO
EPCs are required for …
Every letting of a self-contained residential property
The EPC must be produced by …
A qualified and accredited DEA, GDEA or HI
The EPC consists of what?
A graph relating to energy efficiency, using a scale of 1-100, split into Bands A-G and colour coded, and a list of recommendations for improving the EPC rating
Recommendations are not what?
Not mandatory… so they could be ignored
The government hopes that recommendations will what?
Be acted on by landlords
From April 2016 tenants can require what?
Landlords to improve F and G rated properties to bring them to at least an E rating
From April 2016 tenants can require what?
Landlords to improve F and G rated properties to bring them to at least an E rating
From April 2018 landlords will not be able to let what?
F and G rated properties unless they are improved to at least an E rating
Once produced for letting, EPCs last for how long?
10 years
If the property is let or sold, the EPC must be no older than how long?
10 years
Landlords with multiple identical properties need an EPC for each but they can what?
Sample properties
It is an offence to what?
Not produce an EPC
Who polices the regulations regarding EPCs?
TSOs (Trading Standards Office)
TSOs (Trading Standards Office) can what?
Issue penalty charge notices for breaches of the regulations
The penalty charge for a breach is how much?
£200 for each breach
Guidance on EPCs is available from where?
CLG and ARLA
From 9th January 2013, the asset rating (energy efficiency rating) of the property needs to be shown where?
All promotional materials
Where space allows, what should also be shown on promotional material?
The EPC graph from the first page of the EPC
It was possible to improve the energy efficiency of a property through what at no upfront cost?
The Green Deal
Any remaining Green Deal payments should what?
Be revealed as soon as possible to applicants
