Legislation may be the bane of everyone’s lives but it is vital whatever business you are in that you are informed of the latest relevant legislation. So for all our landlords, please be aware:
With effect from 1st April 2018 properties with an EPC rating of less than ‘E’ will not be able to be let out.
This applies to new tenancies, renewed tenancies and new statutory periodic tenancies. This requirement will be extended to include all existing tenancies with effect from 1st April 2020.
Landlords only have to carry out work that is sufficient to bring it to the minimum rating of ‘E’. Various types of property are exempt – such as bed-sits or individual rooms being let within a larger building. Some listed buildings are exempt but not in all cases. Even if the property is not exempt the landlord could be eligible for an exemption on various grounds, which include where the tenant refuses access and where cost effective work has been carried out but the property is still rated below ‘E’.
All exemptions have to be noted to the Government operated PRS Exemption Register. The exemption lasts for 5 years at which point the landlord will need to re-apply and the situation will be reviewed.
The work should not effectively cost the landlord anything as they can apply under the newly resurrected Green Deal, or funding from the Energy Company Obligation or local authority grants.
We will be posting more information as it comes in and contacting individual landlords who may be affected by this. Please bear in mind you can call any member of the team here at The Country House Company if you wish to discuss any aspect of recent lettings legislation.
It maybe the bane of our lives but it is important.
Marishelle Butler