10. EPCs and Private Landlords

Question 1

The need for EPC comes from where?

Answer 1

European legislation (EPBD Article 7)

Question 2

All new lettings of residential property after what date require EPCs?

Answer 2

1st October 2008

Question 3

Whose responsibility is it to provide the EPC?

Answer 3

The landlords

Question 4

If an agent takes on this responsibility, any breach would cause what?

Answer 4

A problem for the landlord, who could then sue the agent, as well as the agent being directly responsible

Question 5

Marketing of a property can begin when?

Answer 5

As soon as the EPC is commissioned, but the EPC must be available when details are given to an applicant or viewing arranged

Question 6

EPCs must be available to prospective tenants before what?

Answer 6

Before details are given or a viewing arranged

Question 7

The EPC should be available within …

Answer 7

7 days

Question 8

If the EPC is not available in seven days, a further how many days is allowed?

Answer 8

21 days

Question 9

If marketing continues after 28 days without an EPC… what can happen?

Answer 9

The TSO can issue a penalty charge notice, even if there is a genuine reason for the delay

Question 10

The EPC can be made available where?

Answer 10

Within the letting agent’s office or sent electronically if the recipient agrees

Question 11

A copy of the EPC must be given to who?

Answer 11

The tenant free of charge (before the tenancy begins)

Question 12

EPCs are not required when?

Answer 12

Where leases are renewed to existing tenants or when tenants share essential facilities such as in an HMO

Question 13

EPCs are required for …

Answer 13

Every letting of a self-contained residential property

Question 14

The EPC must be produced by …

Answer 14

A qualified and accredited DEA, GDEA or HI

Question 15

The EPC consists of what?

Answer 15

A graph relating to energy efficiency, using a scale of 1-100, split into Bands A-G and colour coded, and a list of recommendations for improving the EPC rating

Question 16

Recommendations are not what?

Answer 16

Not mandatory… so they could be ignored

Question 17

The government hopes that recommendations will what?

Answer 17

Be acted on by landlords

Question 18

From April 2016 tenants can require what?

Answer 18

Landlords to improve F and G rated properties to bring them to at least an E rating

Question 19

From April 2016 tenants can require what?

Answer 19

Landlords to improve F and G rated properties to bring them to at least an E rating

Question 20

From April 2018 landlords will not be able to let what?

Answer 20

F and G rated properties unless they are improved to at least an E rating

Question 21

Once produced for letting, EPCs last for how long?

Answer 21

10 years

Question 22

If the property is let or sold, the EPC must be no older than how long?

Answer 22

10 years

Question 23

Landlords with multiple identical properties need an EPC for each but they can what?

Answer 23

Sample properties

Question 24

It is an offence to what?

Answer 24

Not produce an EPC

Question 25

Who polices the regulations regarding EPCs?

Answer 25

TSOs (Trading Standards Office)

Question 26

TSOs (Trading Standards Office) can what?

Answer 26

Issue penalty charge notices for breaches of the regulations

Question 27

The penalty charge for a breach is how much?

Answer 27

£200 for each breach

Question 28

Guidance on EPCs is available from where?

Answer 28

CLG and ARLA

Question 29

From 9th January 2013, the asset rating (energy efficiency rating) of the property needs to be shown where?

Answer 29

All promotional materials

Question 30

Where space allows, what should also be shown on promotional material?

Answer 30

The EPC graph from the first page of the EPC

Question 31

It was possible to improve the energy efficiency of a property through what at no upfront cost?

Answer 31

The Green Deal

Question 32

Any remaining Green Deal payments should what?

Answer 32

Be revealed as soon as possible to applicants