EPC Regulations for Landlords in 2023
As a landlord, keeping up to date with the latest regulations regarding energy efficiency in your rental properties is essential. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Regulations have changed in recent years, and more changes are coming in 2023. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about these changes and how they could affect you.
What are EPC Regulations?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Regulations require landlords to have an EPC for their rental properties. An EPC rates a property's energy efficiency from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. The certificate provides information about a property's energy efficiency, including its carbon emissions and potential running costs.
Why EPC Regulations are Important
Keeping on top of EPC regulations is essential for landlords for several reasons.
Having an EPC for a rental property is legally required. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in financial penalties, which can be significant. By ensuring that your property has an up-to-date EPC, you can avoid these penalties and secure that your property complies with the law.
Secondly, EPC ratings can impact your property's rental income and marketability. Properties with higher EPC ratings are generally more attractive to tenants, who are increasingly concerned about energy efficiency and environmental impact. Landlords who invest in energy efficiency improvements and achieve higher EPC ratings can command higher rents and attract a wider pool of potential tenants.
Thirdly, improving your property's energy efficiency can help reduce your running costs and profits. You can reduce your energy bills and increase your net income by improving energy efficiency, such as installing insulation or upgrading heating systems. This is particularly important in the current climate, where energy prices rise, and landlords face increased costs.
Finally, improving your property's energy efficiency can help to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. Investing in energy efficiency improvements can reduce your property's carbon emissions and help mitigate the impact of climate change. This is becoming increasingly important as more and more people become aware of the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.
What are MEES?
MEES are regulations that aim to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties in England and Wales. Under these regulations, landlords must ensure that their properties have a minimum EPC rating of E or above before granting a new tenancy or renewing an existing one. This applies to all privately rented properties requiring an EPC, including houses and flats.
What are the current EPC requirements for landlords?
Currently all properties that are let to tenants require an EPC rating of ‘E’ or above. It is illegal to let a property with and F or G rating.
How will EPC requirements for landlords change in the future?
There are no changes to residential EPC regulations in 2023 or 2024.
This big changes hit in 2025. From 2025, all newly rented properties will be required to have an EPC rating of C or above. For existing tenancies, the new regulations won’t apply until 2028.
The new rule changes are in line with the Government’s net zero emissions by 2050 targets. Along with creating more energy efficient homes.
What happens if I fail to comply with EPC regulations?
Landlords who fail to comply with the new regulations could face financial penalties. The penalties will be based on the rateable value of the property and could range from £2,000 for properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less to £150,000 for properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more.
Buy an Energy Retrofit Report today!
An Energy Retrofit Report is a document that provides recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of a property. The report includes a detailed assessment of the property's energy use and suggests cost-effective measures to improve energy efficiency. An Energy Retrofit Report can help landlords to identify cost-effective energy efficiency improvements that will enhance their property's EPC rating and comply with the new regulations.
Use Plot Map to buy your Energy Retrofit Report today! Landlords who fail to comply with the new regulations could face financial penalties, so acting now is essential to improve your property's energy efficiency.