EPCs – what to do if you are a landlord and your property falls into band F or G

Comment from Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings:

EPCs – what to do if you are a landlord and your property falls into band F and G “We are getting a lot of worried calls from landlords with properties in bands F and G unsure of what they should do, as the new legislation states that from 2018 it will be illegal to let these band properties, and in addition, from 2016 landlords will be unable to refuse a tenant’s request to improve the EPC rating of their property.

“We advise them to look closely and realistically at their options. If the property is leasehold, the landlord merely ‘rents’ the space and therefore, as they do not own the building, they cannot install the relevant EPC measures, such as cavity wall or loft insulation, without the consent of the freeholder and other easeholders.

“So refurbishment could be an option, in which case we suggest they research what rentals values are being achieved on updated properties in their area. Or they could consider selling the property and buying a newer apartment with a higher EPC rating.”

For further information about EPCs and how you may be affected contact Marc on 020 7938 3522 or email info@benhams.com