Five things every new tenant should ask a letting agent about EPCs

Stuart Fairlie, group managing director of Elmhurst Energy

With the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act now in force in England, tenants have been given stronger rights – but there is still a lot they can do for themselves before renting a home.

One of them is taking a proper look at energy performance certificates, which give a home a rating from A to G, A being the most energy efficient and G the least.

An EPC is one of the most important documents a renter will see before moving in, because it can give clues about how warm, efficient and affordable the property may be to run.

But tenants should not stop at the rating – that, as important as it is, is only the headline number. Tenants should ask what sits behind it before committing to a home.

Before signing, these are the five key questions I would advise tenants to ask the landlord or letting agent when it comes to the EPC:

1. What is the EPC rating? A low rating may mean the home is harder or more expensive to heat. In England and Wales, most privately rented homes are legally required to have an EPC rating E or above, unless a valid exemption applies.

• When was the EPC carried out? An older certificate may not include any updates or changes that have been made to the property since it was issued.

• What improvements does the EPC recommend? These may flag areas that could be improved within the property quickly and at a relatively low-cost, for example LED lighting, increased loft insulation or draughtproofing.

• Has the landlord completed any of the recommended work? If they say yes, tenants should ask for confirmation in writing.

• Are any further energy improvements planned? This is especially important if the property has a poor rating or the recommendations suggest obvious gaps.

Tenants are not responsible for improving the property, but they are entitled to understand what the EPC says and what it means.

Do not treat the EPC as just another moving-in document. It can help you ask better questions about comfort, bills and the condition of your potential new home.

EPCs have such a big part to play when a potential tenant is weighing up whether a particular home is for them.