Energy Performance Certificate | A Complete Guide for Landlords

An Energy Performance Certificate is a document that you cannot overlook if you’re a landlord in the UK. An Energy Performance Certificate is often also known as an EPC. This certificate rates your property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), depending on how energy efficient your property is.

It doesn’t matter if you’re managing multiple homes or renting out a flat in London; it is a legal necessity to own a valid and up-to-date energy performance certificate. It has an impact on your costs, property value, and even potential rent. Moreover, it helps tenants understand the property’s energy use.

If you want to understand what an energy performance certificate is, why it is a requirement for landlords, what is included, what are the costs, and how can you improve your EPC rating, you have come to the perfect place.

Key Takeaways

• It is a legal requirement for all rented properties in the UK to possess an energy performance certificate.
• It helps in pushing your property’s energy efficiency from A to G.
• The costs vary depending on various factors like: size and location of the property.
• If you are looking for ways to save money and attract tenants, this is the perfect hack for you.
• When it comes to long-term property value and compliance, a valid and up-to-date EPC is a necessity.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An overview of the property’s energy use and estimated running costs is provided by this certificate. Moreover, recommendations for improving efficiency like: upgrading insulation, windows, or heating systems, is also included in it.

It is so much more than just a recommendation for landlords; it’s a legal requirement that must be fulfilled. An EPC is typically valid for 10 years, and every property that is available in the market for rent or sale must have it.

The EPC also shows a potential energy rating that can be obtained if all the recommended improvements are properly implemented.

Why do landlords need an Energy Performance Certificate?

Possessing a landlord energy performance certificate when you are a landlord has less to do with being legally compliant. It’s more about being a responsible landlord, caring about your reputation, and understanding cost savings.

The following are the reasons why it matters so much:

Legal Requirement:

It is necessary for properties to have a minimum E rating or above when it comes to EPC. Moreover, it is not legal to rent out a property without owning a valid energy performance certificate.

Attracting Tenants:

With raising awareness, tenants have started making safe and energy-efficient homes their priority. They are aware of the fact that a higher EPC rating is directly proportional to lower bills and your property being more appealing.

Saving on Costs:

A well-done EPC aids you in cutting long-term maintenance and energy expenses by recognizing exactly where energy is being wasted.

Protecting Property Value:

Properties are more likely to have better resale and rental value if their energy efficiency rating is comparatively higher.

Avoiding Penalties:

Fines up to £5,000 are expected to be implemented as a consequence of not possessing a valid EPC.

What Does an EPC Include?

The following things are included in an energy performance certificate:

• The property’s energy efficiency rating (A to G scale).
• Estimated energy costs.
• Suggestions in case you want to improve your efficiency rating.
• All the important details about heating, windows, and insulation.
• Carbon dioxide emissions.

Every one of these points provides immense knowledge of how well the property is using energy and which factors require attention and improvement. To have a clear understanding of each one of these elements is really important for both tenants and landlords.

Energy Performance Certificate Cost

The prices can vary depending upon several factors like: the property’s type, size, and location.

Below is a general idea of the costs:

The EPC cost might be a little more in big cities like London. These high costs are due to property demand and local rates.

Our Company’s EPC Services Cost

At Landlord Certification London (LCL), we are aware of the fact that landlords want the certification process to be quick, simple, and affordable, and we are all here for it. We make sure that we handle the examination process from beginning to the end, without adding more to your plate.

Our EPC prices start from £85 (All-Inclusive, No Hidden Costs)

• £5 Parking Charges are applicable in case of paid parking.
• £15 Congestion Charge applicable in case the property is in a congestion charge zone.

At LCL, we are a firm believer that every landlord should have full access to affordable compliance without having to compromise on quality. Therefore, our prices include proper transparent examinations and official EPC certificate delivery.

How the EPC Assessment Works

An EPC assessment is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. For the assessment, a certified assessor visits your property. The assessor checks the following:

• Heating systems and controls
• Insulation (walls, loft, floor)
• Windows and glazing
• Lighting efficiency
• Renewable energy systems (if any)

After the assessor is done with the examinations, you’ll be provided with an official energy performance certificate within the next 24-48 hours.

How to Improve Your EPC Rating

If you have an unsatisfactory EPC rating, you can easily fix that. The following are the ways to improve it:

• Upgrade Insulation: By upgrading your insulation, you can significantly boost your rating. Loft and wall insulation can make a great difference.
• Replace Old Boilers: There’s no denying the fact that modern boilers reduce emissions and overall are more efficient.
• Install LED Lighting: LED lighting may seem like a small and insignificant change. But this small change helps in improving both cost savings and efficiency.
• Double Glazing Windows: These minimize energy waste and keep your home warmer.
• Consider Renewable Options: You can achieve a raised property value and EPC score through utilizing heat pumps or solar panels.

If you want your property to not only meet the EPC requirements but to also appear more appealing to tenants looking for more sustainable options, the points given above are your breakthrough.

Why Choose Us for Your EPC?

• Qualified Assessors: All of our inspections are carried out by reliable, qualified, and certified professionals who know what they are doing.
• Fast Turnaround: We make sure that you receive your energy performance certificate within 48 hours.
• Transparent Pricing: Our pricing has no hidden fees, extra costs, or surprise add-ons.
• Landlord-Focused Service: We guarantee a stress-free and simple compliance.

Key Benefits of a Good EPC Rating

A good energy performance certificate rating is more than just ticking another legal requirement box. It provides real and measurable benefits for both the landlords and tenants. Improving your EPC rating can make a difference in the following ways:

• Lower Utility Bills for Tenants: A property with a better rating tends to take up less energy to heat and power the home. This phenomenon ultimately results in lower energy bills for tenants, leading to happier and appreciative tenants who want to be with you in the longer run.
• Increased Property Value: With time, people are becoming more aware of what sustainability is and what’s better for our planet in the longer run. This is why these days tenants tend to care a lot about energy efficiency, running costs, and environmental impact. Therefore, properties that have a higher EPC rating get priority and sell at a higher price.

• Better Tenant Retention: Tenants are most likely to prioritize living in comfortable, well-insulated, and cost-effective homes. The turnover rate decreases when the property is energy-efficient, thus saving landlords a lot of time and money as they don’t have to look for new tenants very often.

• Reduced Maintenance Costs: Insulations and new boilers that are up-to-date last longer; moreover, efficient systems don’t only save energy, they reduce cost over-time as well. A rating is the perfect depiction of how well a property is being maintained.

• Environmental Responsibility: An EPC rating is inversely proportional to your property’s carbon footprint; this means having a high EPC rating leads to a low carbon footprint. This enables you to be positioned as a landlord that thinks forward and promises contribution to a greener future, as it aligns with the UK’s sustainability goals.

• Stronger Reputation and Trust: A good certificate automatically signals a reliable, professional, and genuinely safety concerned landlord who makes tenant comfort the utmost priority.

• Improved Loan and Insurance Opportunities: A satisfactory EPC rating helps you score better offers. Some lenders and insurers, based on how energy efficient you are as a landlord, offer you access to financial benefits and lower costs.

• Future-Proofing Your Property: As a landlord, you may face legal restrictions when it comes to renting your property out. To avoid these issues, it is important to make sure you’re compliant with the law.

• Better Indoor Comfort: Paying attention to your energy performance certificate eating helps you in creating a warmer, quieter, and healthier living environment for tenants.

• Higher Market Appeal: Tenants see a high EPC rating as a sign of quality, long-term savings, and an investment that’s worth making. Therefore, properties with a better EPC score tend to attract more tenants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, an energy performance certificate is more than just a legal form that you are required to display. It is a clear depiction of how careful and considerate you are when it comes to the sustainability matters of your property as a landlord. You can save money, time, and a lot of unwelcome stress if you take your energy performance certificate seriously.

Doesn’t matter if you are a homeowner, landlord, or property manager; taking your energy performance certificate seriously is always worth it. An EPC service is just like a health checkup. A health checkup shows the internal conditions of your body and pin points where improvements are needed. An EPS shows where your building stands right now and how you can make small changes that can have a big impact.

An energy performance certificate boosts your energy efficiency, lowers your utility bills, attracts tenants, and improves the overall value of your property. It also helps you to stay compliant and ahead of all the legal requirements. Updating your energy performance certificate today can save you from expensive updates or fines in the future.

So don’t wait for a last-minute compliance notice that forces you to take your EPC seriously. Book your inspection today and provide yourself with the confidence and peace of mind that you deserve as a landlord. An EPC is more than a document, it’s proof that you care and are ready for the future.