The Importance of EPCs for Landlords: What You Need to Know
Are you a landlord wanting to know about the importance of EPCs? If so, you’re in the right place!
This straightforward guide will help you understand why EPCs are essential for regulatory compliance, attracting tenants, and enhancing the value and efficiency of your properties.
Let’s start from the beginning.
What is an EPC?
An EPC is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least. It provides valuable information about a property’s energy consumption and carbon emissions and even includes recommendations on how to improve its energy efficiency, which in turn can reduce energy costs.
EPCs are valid for 10 years. You can check if a property has a valid EPC here.
So why are EPCs important for landlords?
Compliance with Regulations
In the UK, having a valid EPC is a legal requirement before you can rent out your property. Ignoring this can land you with hefty fines and legal issues. Therefore, it is critical to adhere to these regulations.
Improvement Measures
EPCs come with handy tips on how to boost your property’s energy efficiency. Implementing these suggestions can make your property more appealing to potential tenants. Which brings us to the next point.
Energy Cost Savings
Boosting your property’s energy efficiency and having a higher EPC rating typically means lower energy bills. So, you can help tenants save money, making your property more attractive.
Tenant Attraction and Retention
Energy-efficient properties not only draw in more tenants but also encourage them to stay longer, thanks to the lower energy costs. This financial relief can be a major factor in their decision to rent and remain in a property. Additionally, the comfort and consistent indoor temperatures provided by energy-efficient homes enhance tenant satisfaction.
Environmental Responsibility
Of course, we can’t forget that the higher the EPC rating, the better it is for our planet. Improving your property’s energy efficiency means reducing its carbon footprint. Many environmentally conscious tenants will only buy/rent eco-friendly homes that align with their values.
MEES Regulations
Keep in mind we have the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the UK. At the moment, these regulations require rental properties to have at least an E rating or higher on their EPCs. There was a policy in place to change this to C or higher from 2025, however in his speech last September, PM Rishi Sunak scrapped this. But it is important to note that these standards still might get stricter over time, so staying informed is crucial. Follow us on social media to keep up to date on any policy changes that affect EPCs.
Property Value
Lastly, but certainly not least, properties with higher energy efficiency ratings can fetch a higher market value. Investing in energy-efficient improvements can boost the overall value of your property as well as all the benefits above.
How can Green Energy Switch help you?
You might be wondering where we come into all this. It’s simple: you can get all your EPCs done through us!
We offer competitive rates and have a network of surveyors across the UK.
The best part? We already work with over 20 housing associations, estate agents, and councils across the UK to complete their EPCs, so you know you can trust us.
Get in touch today by emailing us at epc@greenenergyswitch.co.uk or calling us on 01733 646 253, option 5.
See what our EPC clients say about us:
“City and County have had the pleasure of working closely with GES for many years now. GES are professional, quick to respond to any enquiries and have an impressive turnaround time for surveys. GES are also a profit for purpose company which fits well with our company’s aims. We highly recommend working with Green Energy Switch.”
City and County Estate Agents
“We can highly recommend the EPC Service that Green Energy Switch provide to us and have provided for many years. The GES team are so helpful and give clear and accurate information ensuring we always get a fast and reliable service. We always receive our EPC certificates back very soon after the EPC is completed and the EPC surveyors are on hand for any questions we may have about the survey rating and also how we can improve it. The service is incredibly good value and we really do highly recommend the EPC service that Green Energy Switch provide.”
Suffolk based Housing Association
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) are a dynamic, versatile company that delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK; specialising in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006 GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. GES gift-aids its profits back to PECT to help fund its vital work.
