Is EPC certificate essential for residential letting?

[Neil2011]

My letting agent is insisting that I have an EPC done before they will let my property. Is it still law that you have to give a tenant one as part of the tenancy agreement?

[jta]

My letting agent is insisting that I have an EPC done before they will let my property. Is it still law that you have to give a tenant one as part of the tenancy agreement?

It is still the law that you have to have one. You do not have to give it to the tenant unless he asks for it.

[mind the gap]

jta is correct in saying that it is a legal requirement to have an EPC for a rental property. There would be little point however in giving a copy to the tenant with his tenancy contract. That would be a bit late for him to discover that the property is 'F' rated, poorly insulated, drafty as hell and will cost him hundreds or thousands extra in electricity/gas.

The point at which the EPC is needed by the tenant is before he signs any contract, as it will help him compare similar-sized properties in terms of their energy efficiency and all properties in terms of their likely annual energy bills.

For this reason the EPC should be carried out before the property is advertised for rental or sale, and the results shown to prospective Ts if they have the sense to ask.

If your property is of above average energy efficiency (i.e. with a rating of above 50%) then use it as a 'selling point'.

[cymro123]

My letting agent is insisting that I have an EPC done before they will let my property. Is it still law that you have to give a tenant one as part of the tenancy agreement?

No it is not law that you have to give one as part of the Tenancy Agreement. It is law that you make available free of charge a valid energy performance certificate at the earliest opportunity and before entering into a contract (TA), the time at which you make available any information in writing, when the person views the the property.

[cymro123]

For this reason the EPC should be carried out before the property is advertised for rental or sale, and the results shown to prospective Ts if they have the sense to ask.

In the interests of openess and honesty and to comply with legislation the T shouldn't have to ask for the EPC. A prospective tenant should be shown the EPC at the earliest opportunity and given a copy when they become the tenant. Where a prospective tenant is given written information about the property the EPC should be automatically included. I know of some agents who withold EPCs for properties with a low rating and keep their fingers crossed behind their backs that the T forgets to consider how much tit will cost to maintain the property :-)

[thesaint]

I know of some agents who withold EPCs for properties with a low rating and keep their fingers crossed behind their backs that the T forgets to consider how much tit will cost to maintain the property :-)

I have never had a single tenant ask for one.

[mind the gap]

I have never had a single tenant ask for one.

And I have had quite a few.

the saint, what is the average rating of one of your properties (assuming you have more than one)?

[islandgirl]

I vote for noone ever asking for one!

[mind the gap]

I vote for noone ever asking for one!

But we're not voting for anything. Get back to your whippets and black pudding!

[islandgirl]

just putting on my flat cap and quietly leaving the room...

[cymro123]

I have never had a single tenant ask for one.

You may have missed the point, they shouldn't have to ask for the EPC (legally or morally) - empower Ts to make decisions based on sound facts. The industry is riddled with bull**** and 'smoke and mirrors'. Too many agents gilding the lilly with 'estate agents speak' and all the while hoping the T doesn't ask awkward questions.

[mind the gap]

You may have missed the point, they shouldn't have to ask for the EPC (legally or morally) - empower Ts to make decisions based on sound facts. The industry is riddled with bull**** and 'smoke and mirrors'. Too many agents gilding the lilly with 'estate agents speak' and all the while hoping the T doesn't ask awkward questions.

Well-said.