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From 1 October 2008 all homes being let will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'. The provisions are part of The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 SI 2007/991. The requirement is set out in regulation 5 which demands that a prospective tenant be provided with an EPC at the earliest opportunity and certainly prior to entering into any tenancy agreement. Note you only need to provide a EPC and not the entire HIP pack.
The EPC is valid for 10 years and it maybe when you bought the property if you were supplied with a HIP pack which should contain a EPC which may still be valid.
Buildings produce nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions and that’s almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. Energy Performance Certificates have been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy. The EPC is part of a series of measures that have been introduced across Europe to reflect legislation which will help cut buildings’ carbon emissions and tackles climate change efficiently.
Other changes include requiring public buildings - for example town halls, libraries, hospitals - to display certificates showing the energy efficiency of the building and requiring inspections for air conditioning systems.
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