Unipol responds to Government consultation on Energy Performance

Unipol has published its response to a Government consultation on Making Better use of Energy Performance Certificates and Data. The main area of interest to Unipol and student housing more generally was to address a ‘loophole’ in the existing legislation whereby rooms let on individual tenancies do not require an EPC as they are not ‘buildings’ under the definition. 

The response focussed on Unipol’s view that an EPC should be required for a HMO and that this requirement should be triggered at the same point as any other dwelling. Unipol believes that all rented accommodation, regardless of the type of tenancy agreement used, should be subject to an EPC which is available to tenants and prospective tenants. Unipol pointed out in its response that this requirement should also apply to ‘excepted HMO’s’ which are covered by one of the Approved Codes of Practice for student accommodation.  

Unipol therefore wholeheartedly supported the proposal to extend EPCs to HMOs with the addition that Excepted HMO’s are not exempt.

To read the full response, click here.