Landlords are ignoring EPCs

28 October 2009

More landlords than estimated are ignoring the requirement to obtain EPCs for properties currently for sale or let, according to a survey in the south west of England

A study into commercial energy efficiency certification across several South West regions, conducted Quidos Limited with assistance from local Trading Standards officers, shows that landlord compliance with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) legislation for commercial property (currently for sale or let) was still very low - only 22 percent of commercial property in the region had a valid energy certificate (EPC).
Quidos Limited is a nationwide professional property and energy services agency. Its survey focused only on the South West, however it does highlight a lack of industry compliance which is likely to be repeated across the UK which had been thought to have been about 80 percent compliant.
Quidos Operations Director Nick Branch said, “These certificates provide a valuable asset rating of the energy performance of buildings. This data can and is being used by forward thinking landlords to improve the energy efficiency, and value of their property portfolio. With low cost loans available from the Carbon Trust, these energy saving improvements can be capital neutral in the short term and revenue generating in the longer term.”
Trading Standards officials across the SW region are now taking an active interest in the findings of the report, and have requested monthly updates to monitor progress. With EPC prices at an all time low, landlords are now advised to have their available property surveyed to avoid on-the-spot fines of up to £5,000.
To receive a copy of the report, or for more information, contact Quidos on 01225 318400 or info@quidos.co.uk