Energy Performance Certificates

Inthedeep_2

Hello!

I'm currently living in a rented flat and my tenancy runs out November 2008 .. i'll have been here a year by then and signed 2 x 6 months AST's .. i'm just wonderign with the introduction of the EPC on October 1st whether my landlord would have to arrange for a cert should i decide to stay and sign a further AST for 6 months - I spose it would be a new contract despite being an existing tenant?

I'm only asking as despite my meticulous efforts to ensure that i am energy efficient im billed loads for a stupid boiler immersion hot water system and i would love to know the results of the EPC cert if i decide to stay!

Cheers

clutton_2

as a landlord - my advice is - dont waste your time worrying - this legislation is incredibly ridiculous - as we have to get a survey done = but then there is NO COMPULSION whatsoever to get anything changed in the house

if you have an immersion heater in a tank - you could fit a "dual-control" element which means you could heat just the top of the tank if you want to wash up or the whole tank if you want a bath - there is a switch alongside the tank and you switch from one to another - but your LL may not want this expense

i had one for years llike that - saved me fortunes

sooz

Oh bleep...lost my message

It's another p*ss poorly written law, but as I understand it you won't get an EPC if you stay, as you only need one if marketing a property post 1/9/08. Your LL won't be marketing, if you stay, even if you sign a new AST.

Furthermore, the EPC will be of no relevance to you, as you already know that your LL's system is inefficient & expensive

It may give him some ideas of how to make it more efficient, but after spending £70 to get a piece of paper, there is no obligation for him to do so, as Clutton says.

Inthedeep_2

Ah thanks for your responses! Think i'd be better trying to negotiate with them to install a timer then so that the hot water is only on for 30 mins or something as after showers in the morning it's never needed / used (and if i want a bath then ill just put the boost on as and when)

I think i've been a pretty good tenant and i spose if i leave he'll have to find new tenant (lose possible months rent) and pay the £70. Worth a shot eh!?

Cheers once again!

tbs624

sooz wrote: »

...as I understand it you won't get an EPC if you stay, as you only need one if marketing a property post 1/9/08. Your LL won't be marketing, if you stay, even if you sign a new AST.

For confirmation of Sooz's interpretation, see:

"From 1 October 2008, an EPC will be required whenever a building in the social or private rented sectors is let to a new tenant" and

"The landlord is not required to produce an EPC when an existing lease is renewed, only when the tenant changes"

Ref: Energy Performance Certificates for Dwellings in the Social and Private Rented Sectors - A Guide for Landlords, June 2008, Department for Communities and Local Government: London

You may read differently on some websites, possibly because some of the websites belong to those with a vested interest in getting the max number of EPCs done at the earliest possible stage.;)

us,thecat&thedebt

hi,

sorry to crash this thread!!!

me and oh are due to rent a property from a family friend from middle of october

i obviously dont want any cost incurred to him if i can help it as he is renting to us at a lower rental etc... plus i dont agree with epc!!!

is there a way round needing one?

tbs624

It's up to your friend as the LL to sort out, so not for you to worry about. If you are not interested in seeing one you don't have to ask for one.

LLs will however be fined if Trading Standards become aware that they do not have one for their property.The only "way round" it would be for your tenancy to start before Oct 1st.

poppysarah

So you're not bothered about a gas safety certificate either?

Renting cheaply off friends is probably a good way to fall out with people.

paintpot

If I'm correct EPCs and HIPs are required if the property is "marketed". There are exemptions for HIPs ie for private sales, as the property is not marketed. In this case if the property is not "marketed" then it "may" not be required in a similar way that HIPs can legally be avoided for private sales.

tbs624

:rolleyes:I wish MSE would shift that thanks button away from the quote button - definitely no thanks intended for Poppysarah's post.

IMO you're perhaps unfairly extrapolating what us, thecat&thedebt has asked.

A gas safety certificate is a totally different matter: a LL certifying that the gas appliances are safe (as required by law) can save your health or even your life.It's useful, it has purpose.

On the other hand an EPC is a useless piece of paper that will do nothing to help the Kyoto protocol achieve its aims. All those EU and Govt ministers clocking up their carbon emissions as they worked to come up with an "appropriate" directive and supporting regs, DEAs driving all over the country, all that paper, all that electricity to run their dinky assessment software...... Dress it up as energy choices for the poorer section of our community and the majority of the public will go with it........they'll *all* want one. blah , blah, blah....

Bungarm2001

ggrrrrrr i thanked the wrong person too...meant to thank tbs624 not poppysarah