What is an EPC?
Pursuant to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Directive 2002/91/EC), it became law in Cardiff, and the rest of the UK of course, in January 2009 that those with buildings offered for sale or rental were required to provide an EPC. This requirement occurs “as soon as a building is in the process” of sale or rental, which includes verbal enquiries for building particulars and requests for viewing.
What if i didn’t have an EPC?
An EPC and the accompanying Recommendation Report must be provided free of charge to prospective buyers or tenants. Even when a building is marketed, the EPC rating must be included within all marketing literature (including sales particulars and all advertising). Without it, estate agents are automatically reported to the Office of Fair Trading.
In relation to domestic EPCs, there are fixed penalties for failing to provide an EPC or make one available when required at £200 per dwelling, although there is a six month time limit for any enforcement action to be taken.
Landlords of domestic dwellings should bear in mind that as from October 2015, if an EPC was not provided with a new tenancy, they will not be able to seek possession using a section 21 notice until a valid EPC has been given and by April 2018, no property with an energy performance rating below E shall be capable of being rented out.
- Cardiff Commercial EPCs
- Cardiff Domestic EPCs
- Local Surveyors
What can an EPC do for me?
Not with standing the legal obligations and potential penalties involved in not providing an EPC, there is also good evidence to suggest that ‘greener’ properties offer considerable benefits to occupiers and owners, which will be reflected in property values. At ‘EPC For You’ this is why the accuracy of assessment is so important so as to provide reassurance that the EPC can be relied upon when the future value of the property is calculated. With this in mind, not only are penalties avoided when obtaining an EPC but there are clear benefits too, which include attracting a tenant quicker , and having your building ready to let or sell faster – the right kind of tenant is also more likely to be attracted to landlords who take the EPC seriously, in this sense, expenditure in tenant turnover is reduced and an EPC is clearly a valuable investment.
- Landlords
- Property Agents
- Housing Associations
- Business Owners