Holiday Lettings and the EPC

 

There has been a change in the requirement for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for homes used as holiday lets.

From 30 June 2011 an EPC is required for a property rented out as a holiday let where the building is occupied as a result of a short term letting arrangement and is rented out for a combined total of four months or more in any twelve month period.

For these purposes the building is defined as a roofed construction having walls for which energy is used to condition the indoor environment. A building can include a part of a building where this is a self-sustained unit such as an apartment. The building must be subject to Building Regulations and so excludes caravans, tents, mobile homes and park homes.


The landlord is responsible for obtaining the EPC. If the property is being let after 30 June 2011, then it must have an EPC. The EPC will be valid for 10 years–although it may be wise to update it to reflect any subsequent improvements to the property.


From July 2011, the EPC must be attached to written particulars where they are available.


Concerns about the value of the EPC


We recognise that some landlords of holiday homes have not received this news positively–perceiving it as unnecessary government bureaucracy. The concerns expressed include:


  1. Bullet    The short term tenant (the holiday maker) will not choose a holiday home on the basis of the energy efficiency of the property but on the location and level of comfort of the property

  2. Bullet    Consumers have little interest in energy efficiency anyway, so there is no reason to suppose that they will factor this into their decision making process when choosing their holiday accommodation

  3. Bullet    Since the holiday maker does not pay the bills they have no interest in saving money on energy

  4. Bullet    There is no point in having an EPC carried out when the bulk of the letting period is in the summer months when heating costs are at a minimum

So why have an EPC?


There are a number of positive aspects to an EPC.

Many landlords already promote the green credentials of their holiday property in recognition of the growing consumers interest in lowering their ‘Carbon Footprint’. An EPC provides the landlord with an official stamp of authority to back up those claims.

By following the advice in the EPC recommendation report you can make real financial savings.

Whilst the EPC data is being collected why not take advantage of our other services and include a floor plan and/or professional photography to use with your particulars and on your website