What landlords should do

If you know this needs to be done, but you do not know what to do, these are your first steps:

• An EPC has a list of recommendations which will help improve the properties energy rating. For example, fit low energy lighting, upgrade the heating system, install loft insulation or double glazing. Each property and their certificate is individual and will need different things doing to improve the rating.
• What has been recommended does not need to be done in the specific order given. (Some may be lower cost measures and some much higher.)
• A landlord is free to do what work they want to. As long as the EPC rating is raised to meet the minimum energy efficiency standard. The best source for advice is the 'recommended measures' section on the certificate. Landlords can also seek advice from other qualified experts if they choose to.
• When work has been finished, a new EPC must be applied for. This is to prove it is 'E' rated or higher and meets legal requirements.

Your EPC may not reflect the current standard of the property and you could renew it without any further work.

If there is a tenant in the property, you must get a rating right now, visit: Get a new energy certificate (GOV.UK).

• If the rating is below E, carry out the recommended energy efficiency measures from the report. These should be carried out immediately to bring the property up to an E (minimum) or an exemption registered.
• If the property had a low EPC rating, carry out the recommended measures from the report. Then get another EPC rating right away.

We may still act under the Housing Act 2004 to make sure things such as heating and loft insulation are up to standard. For instance:

• If the property was rated E, but only had standalone plug-in electric heaters, we would insist upon a minimum of modern electric storage heaters.
• This would not be under the EPC regulations it would be reviewed for the Excess Cold hazard under HHSRS (Housing Act 2004).

It is your duty to do as much of the work as possible, up to the cost of £3,500.

• This is even if does not bring the rating to an E.
• Often works listed are not necessarily in an order that makes sense to undertake.

• If you had a tenant on or after 1st April 2020

You must make sure the property has an EPC rating E or above in order to let the property.

Please note: You may still face enforcement action.

• You do not need to take any action to improve its rating if you do not plan to let it out.

Please note: If you decide to let it out later, it must have a rating of at least 'E' before you do so.

There is a common misunderstanding regarding listed buildings and whether they are exempt from the legal requirements. Just because a building is listed does not automatically mean it is exempt from needing an EPC. The main scenario which would mean a property is exempt from requiring an EPC is:

Where energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter the property's character.

The landlord must prove that this is the case, so they would need an EPC to see what work is recommended. It could still be possible to do with the help and advice from a conservation officer. The best plan of action would be:

• Get an EPC. (You cannot judge if works are not acceptable if you do not know what needs to be done.)
• Judge whether the suggested work means you can register for an exemption. (We can help with this, if need be.)

Either way, register an exemption or do the work needed to get an EPC rating E or above.

There may be help via Government grants. For details, please see: Healthy Home Schemes.

You may need an EPC for every dwelling.

Where an owner owns a block of flats, a separate EPC is required for each dwelling. You cannot commission one EPC for the whole building.

It may not be possible to get an EPC for each let. For example, when an individual room in a shared house is not self-contained (kitchen and/or bathroom facilities are shared).

Note: It is advised to produce an EPC for the property as a whole.