Landlords, have you checked the Energy Performance Certificates for your properties recently?

Now may be a good time to check the Energy Efficiency Rating of your private rented property.

Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962) “MEES Regulations”, you cannot grant a new tenancy or lease on or after 1 April 2018 or continue to let the property on or after 1 April 2023 with a rating of less than an E.

There are some exceptions to the regulations. For example, if you make improvements to the property to increase its energy efficiency or if the property is exempt.

Examples of the types of improvements and proposed costs are set out in a property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which provides a good starting point from which to consider what works may help improve the energy efficiency of the property.

Copies of EPCs can be downloaded directly from the Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Register, and you can search with just the address of the property.

We would recommend that you also speak to an EPC assessor who can advise you on the best steps and measures to take for your particular property, and who can also commission your new EPC with a hopefully improved rating.

If you are a landlord and wish to speak to a solicitor regarding your property then please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialist property solicitors today.