Free seminars launched to help landlords with EPCs

Tuesday 1st May 2012

An environmental consultancy has launched a series of free briefing seminars aimed at helping property owners improve their Energy Performance Certificate ratings.

4See Environmental, based in Towcester, Northamptonshire, is opening its briefings to both existing and prospective clients, including landlords.

The briefings cover areas such as understanding how an EPC is produced and the main factors affecting the rating; how to achieve the best rating you can; and how to improve your F and G ratings. They also examine the implications of changes to the EPC regulations from this April and the implications of the 2010 Building Regulations.

Ruth Gilbody, commercial director of 4See Environmental, said: “We are seeing an increasing level of emphasis being placed on EPC ratings, mostly connected with the recent legislation passed in last year’s Energy Act, because from April 2016 residential landlords will not be able to refuse reasonable requests from tenants, or local authorities acting on behalf of tenants, to improve the energy efficiency of their property.

“Also, from April 2015 in Scotland, and by April 2018 in England and Wales, it will become unlawful to rent out a house or business premises which have less than a minimum energy efficiency standard. In 2011 the Government indicated that the minimum could be an E-rated EPC, although this has not yet been confirmed.

“So it is easy to see why landlords are showing renewed interest in this subject.”

The UK real estate division at Aviva Investors recently sent over 40 asset managers to one of the sessions.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of this service can book a free session by emailing ruthgilbody@burcote.co.uk