New EPC laws postponed after legal time-out

New EPC laws postponed after legal time-out

10:09 AM, 23rd June 2011, About 13 years ago 1

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New EPC laws postponed

Upcoming changes to energy performance certificate rules for landlords have been put on hold because they have failed to clear the required regulatory hurdles on time.

The new rules were due to tighten controls on landlords and letting agents from July 1.

Currently, buy to let landlords and letting agents have 28 days from when a property is marketed to tenants to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) put in place – the but the regulations are open-ended about what happens if one is not carried out.

The new rules give landlords and letting agents seven days to carry out an EPC inspection, with a 21 day period of grace if an EPC is not available with reasonable excuse.

Failing to meet the rules leaves the way clear for trading standards action that could lead to with a potential fine of £200 for each tenant that has rented the property during the period of non compliance.

Another change included in this round of changes is a requirement to display additional EPC information on property particulars.

The stumbling block leading to the delay in starting the new regime, according to the Communities and Local Government Department CLG), is the new regulations have not passed a policy committee that reviews proposed law changes.

The review is not expected to give the CLG time to put the regulations before parliament before the summer recess, so the rule changes are likely to come in to effect on October 1.

Further EPC changes in line with European Union legislation are expected next year.

These rules require the energy rating to be included in all property adverts – consultation is likely over the definition of a property advert – like online property listings, newspaper ads or ‘to let‘ boards.

EPC inspections are required for properties for sale and let.

From July 1, holiday let owners were also supposed to provide an EPC for all properties let for more than four months in a year. This include mobile homes and static caravans.

This rule change is also postponed.


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Comments

17:41 PM, 4th August 2011, About 13 years ago

The Goverment should be in charge of EPCs and councils not allowed Landlords to rent out peoperties without an EPC. This should be further extended to boiler certificates, electrical test certificates and some form of fire detection.

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