HIP - Home Information Pack

Hi i am a landlord in Birmngham and have a few various properties.

I have tried ringing the DCLG whos number i got from a local surveyor regarding EPCs for ny properties and was told to send an email. They apparently did have a phone line though stopped the service!!!! I send an email and was told they could not interpret the law on my behalf and i should seek legal advice.

I have spoken to various people and still not 100% on what i need to do for the date of 1st October 2008.

Am i right in saying that all properties what ever amount of bedroooms need an EPC by this date?

Do i give the EPC to the tenant?

If so, what do they do with it?

I wish i could help you tony though not completely sure myself!!

I have some properties i rent out in Manchester and will be watching this post with interest. If you find the answers to your questions please PM me or drop me an email. I have PM'd you with my email.

Hi Tony, i will try and answer your questions as best as possible.

Under new EU legislation from the 1st October 2008, when buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants.

This is for all properties as you state, the legislation does not differentiate for number of bedrooms and is not being phased in as the HIP legislation was.

How and when should I supply the Energy Performance Certificate?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by the seller or a landlord to a prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than:

* when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective buyer; or
* when a viewing is conducted; or
* if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.

An energy performance certificate does not have to be made available if:

* the seller believes that the prospective buyer or tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in buying or renting that type of property; or
* the seller or landlord is unlikely to be prepared to sell or rent out the property to the prospective buyer or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination)

There is no reference as to what the tenant should do with the EPC or any obligation for you to upgrade the property implementing reccomendations. However, if the measures are implemented the tenant will propably gain reduced utility bills and less CO2 emmisions. Often there are grants available to help with these improvements.

I have taken the above from Landlord EPC FAQ on our site. Please feel free to browse and hope this helps.

HIP wrote:

QUOTE:
Hi Tony, i will try and answer your questions as best as possible.

Under new EU legislation from the 1st October 2008, when buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants.

This is for all properties as you state, the legislation does not differentiate for number of bedrooms and is not being phased in as the HIP legislation was.

How and when should I supply the Energy Performance Certificate?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by the seller or a landlord to a prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than:

* when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective buyer; or
* when a viewing is conducted; or
* if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.

An energy performance certificate does not have to be made available if:

* the seller believes that the prospective buyer or tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in buying or renting that type of property; or
* the seller or landlord is unlikely to be prepared to sell or rent out the property to the prospective buyer or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination)

There is no reference as to what the tenant should do with the EPC or any obligation for you to upgrade the property implementing reccomendations. However, if the measures are implemented the tenant will propably gain reduced utility bills and less CO2 emmisions. Often there are grants available to help with these improvements.

I have taken the above from Landlord EPC FAQ on our site. Please feel free to browse and hope this helps.

Thanks for your response!!!

HIP wrote:

QUOTE:


I have taken the above from Landlord EPC FAQ on our site. Please feel free to browse and hope this helps.

It's good to see providers supplying the information aswell as just selling their services.

The link was most helpful and i have found it difficult getting the required information to make sure i meet the legislation.

I decided to have the EPCs done even though we have established tenants. Once they are done they are done for 10yrs!!!!