Can a tenant request to see an EPC?

[mmgabriel]

I have been reading a little about these EPCs. I understand that these became mandatory from 01/10/08. I moved in to a new rented property on the 20/09/08. Can I now request that I see an EPC? or get an assessment done if one was no carried out? We are having a lot of problms with the heating and draughts, which the LA seem reluctant to fix. I thought the EPC assessment may force them in to doing something about the poblems, if it was possible to get this done.
Any advice?

[mind the gap]

I have been reading a little about these EPCs. I understand that these became mandatory from 01/10/08. I moved in to a new rented property on the 20/09/08. Can I now request that I see an EPC? or get an assessment done if one was no carried out? We are having a lot of problms with the heating and draughts, which the LA seem reluctant to fix. I thought the EPC assessment may force them in to doing something about the poblems, if it was possible to get this done.
Any advice?


Unfortunately, your Ll has just slipped though the net with this, in the sense that EPCs only became mandatory for rented properties with new tenancies starting on or after 1st October.

All you can do is

1 write to your LL explaining the problems you are having with the heating (he has a legal obligation to ensure you have the means to heat space and water to a reasonable temperature). What is the problem exactly? There are people on this forum who may be able to advise you re problems with heating/heating systems. LL must ensure it is safe and working correctly.
2 if the property is very draughty, ask him to do something about it. If he doesn't, you could do something about it yourself and withold rent to cover the cost.

This thread which covers this issue, may be of interest:

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15068

[Jane Needham]

Hi
In response to your question, you cannot legally enforce your landlord to do an EPC if you took the tenancy out before the 1st October 2008. Even if you took out the tenancy after the 1st, the EPC is only a guide of the energy efficiency of the property. The recommendation report that goes with an EPC tells you what can be done to improve the property, but it is NOT a legal requirement that your landlord does those works. All it means is that he may not be able to get such a good rent in the future if he doesn't do them.

If the heating etc does not work, then you have rights if he doesn't put the property right.

Hope this helps

[jonblair123]

I have been reading a little about these EPCs. I understand that these became mandatory from 01/10/08. I moved in to a new rented property on the 20/09/08. Can I now request that I see an EPC? or get an assessment done if one was no carried out? We are having a lot of problms with the heating and draughts, which the LA seem reluctant to fix. I thought the EPC assessment may force them in to doing something about the poblems, if it was possible to get this done.
Any advice?

With thousands of empty properties up for rent, why dont you move? And why did you take up tenancy in the first place if the property was not to your liking?

Regret this line of advice, but for too long, tenants willingly take on rental properties, and immediately start complainining.

One other thing, why dont you contact Environmental Health people? They will soon find a hundred little things wrong and force your landlord into carrying out repairs!

And finally, you can always stop paying rent. There must be a leaking tap surely?

This advice given as a retired ex landlord.

[mind the gap]

With thousands of empty properties up for rent, why dont you move? OP has only been in the property since end of Sept and is presumably locked into an AST until end of March - he/she cannot just 'move out'. Unhelpful advice.

And why did you take up tenancy in the first place if the property was not to your liking? At the end of September, it is not possible to know how cold and draughty a property will be in December. Unhelpful question.

Regret this line of advice, but for too long, tenants willingly take on rental properties, and immediately start complainining. Which line of advice do you regret? Meaning unclear. However tenant has a right to complain if house is cold and draughty.

One other thing, why dont you contact Environmental Health people? They will soon find a hundred little things wrong and force your landlord into carrying out repairs! COLOR="SeaGreen"]I know an EHO and he tells me that it is always the greediest, laziest LLs who fear his visits the most![/COLOR]

And finally, you can always stop paying rent. There must be a leaking tap surely? Sarcastic, unhelpful advice - again

This advice given as a retired ex landlord. [COLOR="SeaGreen"]In that case, I am glad you did not rent to me. The tone and content of your posts is most disagreeable.

OP, hope the responses in green help to take the nasty taste out of these posts!

[jonblair123]

....stilll having determined that the place is cold.....you have a choice of thousands of vacant properties.....and it is now mid winter....you should be able to determine if it suits you.....of course, being midwinter, come summer, you will be looking for airconditioning....move out....what is so attractive about this cold house?...or is it that you want to pick a fight ?

[sensible]

mmgabriel even if you did have an EPC how will this force your landlord to carry out repairs?

[mmgabriel]

Thanks for all of you replies (I think).

I can't move out, we have a contract! The house wasn't cold in August when we looked at the property and put down the deposit.

Do you realise how expensive it is to move to a new rented property? The deposit from you last property is always still tied up when you need to place a new deposit on the next place! So you have to find 4 weeks deposit, 4 weeks rent up front from somewhere (this time approx £2300) . All very costly, i try not to move too frequently is possible!

I'm not expecting much from the landlord. They have been round to look at the boiler. Fixed the low presssure and told us to get a "snake" to plug the draughty front door. Apparently as the landlord is providing heating they say that this is enough. As far as I am concerned if the heating is not good enough to maintain a comfortable temperature surely this is not good. To be honest I don't think there is anything wrong with the heating, all of the heat is going out under the gaps in the front door and windows. I have asked that the landlord consider fitting a curtain pole over the front door so we can hang some nice thick curtains and a blind to cover the huge sash window in the hall. I'm not asking for the earth. Am I really being unreasonable complaining about this?

In response to the comment about the EPC, my original post was a question asking whether getting an EPC could force the landlord to do the work. Just a thought thats all. It would seem the answer is no. So thats fine.

Thanks