Heat24seven Ltd can now offer our EPC service to our Landlords .Private residential landlords are legally required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when renting out a home to new tenants.

An EPC gives information about a property's energy efficiency. You must give a copy to prospective tenants when they view a property, when they ask for any written information about a property and before any rental contract is signed. It remains valid for ten years and can be used for all new tenants in that period.

EPCs are required for self-contained properties only. They are not necessary when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.

Energy Performance Certificates – what they tell you

EPCs contain:

• information on your home's energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
• a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions

Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions

EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.

The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is 'D'. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

Around 27 per cent of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from domestic homes. Carbon dioxide contributes to climate change.

The recommendation report

EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:

• suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
• possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
• how the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
  

You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.