Transcript Slide 1

Energy Performance
Certificates: The Basics
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
South Barn, Cowix Farm, Capel Road, Rusper, West Sussex RH12 4PY
Tel: 01293 871107
[email protected]
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
What is an EPC?
• Shows Energy Efficiency & Environmental
Impact Ratings on a scale of A – G (like
domestic white goods)
• A = most energy efficient with lowest CO2
emissions, G = least
• Includes recommendations which lists cost
effective measures to improve energy ratings
(no obligation for the Landlord to carry out any
measures)
• Theory = Potential Tenant can see just how
much it is likely to cost to heat and run a house
for a year
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
What is an EPC?
• By 1st October, residential property MUST have a valid
EPC when it is let
• Must be carried out by an Accredited Domestic Energy
Assessor – list of accredited assessors at
http://www.hcrregister.com
• Registered EPCs are held on a central register – access
to register via the above site so long as you have the
registration number of the EPC
• Access to register also available to the accreditation
scheme responsible for the particular EPC, the
enforcement authorities and, on an anonymised basis,
the DCLG
• Valid for 10 years
• Subsequent changes to property that affect energy
efficiency, new EPC required prior to a new letting
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Domestic Energy Assessors
• Qualified
• Accredited
• Required to have Criminal Record Bureau
checks
• Work continually monitored
• Independent
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How is the EPC calculated?
• Inspect all rooms
• Take notes, photographs & measurements
• Government approved procedure = Reduced
Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP)
• Based on the building itself
– Age, size, type of construction, renovation or
extension works carried out, services such as heating
& lighting (makes assumptions on standard heating)
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Understanding Running Costs
• The estimated running costs on the EPC:
– Are based on standard consumption (number
of occupants and hours of heating per day)
– Take into account costs for heating, hot water
& lighting only & do not include the cost of
appliances
– Are based on average fuel prices current
when the EPC was produced
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How is the EPC Calculated?
• Does not include use of domestic
appliances and personal
circumstances/occupation by an individual
property occupier so that direct
comparisons can be made between
properties
• Enter information into computer
• Review result and produce certificate
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What does an EPC look like?
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EPC Graph
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How much does an EPC cost?
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Depends on who is carrying it out
Depends on the type of property
Depends on quantity
Prices can vary considerably
Average costs = £40 - £120 per unit so its
worth shopping around
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
Legal Requirement
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If you have a Tenant in place, you do
NOT require an EPC
If you put in a new Tenant, you must
have an EPC at the time you market the
property to potential Tenants
When any Tenant moves in they must be
given a copy (photocopy is ok). In an
HMO, each Tenant will need a copy
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Legal Requirement
•
An EPC must be provided (free of charge) to a
potential Tenant or Buyer no later than:
1) When any written information about the building
is provided in response to a request for
information, or
2) When a viewing is conducted
3) If neither of these occur, before entering into a
contract to let
•
If a property contains “self-contained units”,
then each unit requires a separate EPC + one
for the property overall
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‘Self Contained Unit’
• Self Contained Unit = does not share
essential facilities such as a
bathroom/shower room, wc or kitchen with
any other unit, and that it has its own
entrance, either from outside or through
common parts, that is not through another
dwelling
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Legal Requirement
•
An EPC does not have to be made
available if:
1) The Landlord believes that the prospective
Tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to rent
the property, or
2) Is not genuinely interested in the renting that type
of property, or
3) The Landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent
out the property to the prospective Tenant
although this does not authorise unlawful
discrimination
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
Existing EPCs
• If a Landlord already has an EPC for a
property, for example because it was
recently purchased and part of the Home
Information Pack, this EPC can be used
for the subsequent rental
• EPCs are valid for 10 years & can be
reused for new Tenants as many times as
required within that period
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Enforcement
• Action by Trading Standards & the Office
of Fair Trading
• Penalty for not having an EPC when
selling or letting a home = £200 (+ cost of
getting an EPC)
• Repeat offenders may be charged more
than once
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
Improving the Energy Efficiency of
your Rental Property
• Quick Fixes
– Replace light-bulbs with energy efficient ones
(the bulbs in place on the day of the
assessment are the ones that count)
– If the hot water cylinder doesn’t have a jacket,
add one
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Improving the Energy Efficiency of
your Rental Property
• Landlords’ Energy Savings Allowance scheme
(LESA)
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£1500 per property
Allowance available to 2015
In addition to the 10% allowance for wear & tear
Energy savings items included are:
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Loft insulation
Cavity Wall insulation
Solid Wall insulation
Hot water system insulation
Draught proofing
Floor insulation
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Improving the Energy Efficiency of
your Rental Property
• Enhanced Capital Allowance
– For Landlords that pay Corporation Tax, larger
Landlords and businesses
– Can claim 100% of the tax back on any
energy saving technology
• Your Tax Office or Accountant will be able
to provide more information
http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/hmrc/lo
cator/locator.jsp
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
Further Information
• http://www.communities.gov.uk/publication
s/planningandbuilding/epclandlordguide
• http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningan
dbuilding/theenvironment/energyperforma
nce/
• Your local Landlords’ Association
• http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCom
munity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/Sellin
gYourHome/DG_076370
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd
Contact Details
IHS
South Barn, Cowix Farm
Capel Road
Rusper
Horsham
West Sussex RH12 4PY
(01293) 871107
[email protected]
Inside Housing Solutions Ltd