Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for Tenants
The purpose of the Energy Performance Certificate is to show prospective tenants the energy performance of the building they are planning to rent.
All students renting a house or flat on a joint tenancy or renting a self contained flat should either be provided with an EPC or should be given a way of accessing this electronically. The EPC must be provided free of charge.
The EPC shows the energy efficiency rating (relating to running costs) and the Environmental Impact rating (relating to C02 emissions rating) of the property. They are shown on an A – G rating scale similar to those used for fridges and other electrical appliances; The certificate is accompanied by a recommendation report that contains recommendations on how to improve the building’s energy efficiency. However, there is no statutory requirement to carry out any of the recommended measures.
If you are looking for properties landlords should have given details of the EPC on the advertising material. If you are looking on the SHAC web site then if SHAC have been given an EPC then this will be displayed at the bottom of the property details or click on the icon on the property details.
If there is no EPC on the web site, then ask the landlord to give you a copy when you view or sign for the house.
Samples of Energy Performance Bar Charts
How Energy Efficient are Student Houses and Complexes?
SHAC has seen a considerable number of EPCs and, although it is still early days, it is possible to pass on some general impressions.
Most newly built complexes are rated C and D (with gas heated complexes generally getting a C and electrically heated complexes getting a D).
Most shared student houses will get a D or an E. If a house has been well insulated and has a recently fitted combination boiler then it can get a C. Anything with C or above is comparatively high on energy efficiency.
Almost no houses will get an A (at the latest count there were 22 houses in England in this category) but some houses do get a B. Likewise, almost no houses get a G, but any house on F and G will mean it is expensive to heat.
The certificate gives some information on potential savings that can be made. In many older Victorian houses, the potential rating is often very close to the current rating, meaning that little can be done to improve energy efficiency. If the potential is a much higher rating than the current one you tenants can raise the possibility of energy improvements with the landlord (details are available on the full report about what could be done). Any improvements will save you money on heating (unless your rent is energy inclusive).
If you want further information on EPCs then click here