EPC obligations as from April 2020 - now is the time to get started!

[flyingfreehold]

My researches are that an EPC will be required for all lettings, not just those at present, and that includes the old dears and their successors remaining under the Rent Act 1977, assured, assured periodic and all the other oddities of tenure that will be likely to exist in an older mature portfolio. If your tenant declines an offer of a modern boiler/double glazing/ loft insulation/ modern LED bulbs get him/her to do so in writing which will entitle the landlord to obtain up to five years exemption, as I understand it. But we are starting on the list already because those older properties will typically be the most challenging, plenty of solid walls and stoic tenants of the old school. It is my experience that there is a degree of resistence to requests for access for such energy improvements. One lady would not have central heating and likes her ancient and long since discontinued Raeburn (even though parts are ever more difficult for us to find). The EPC assessor was prepared to do some surveying without recording the result on the EPC register until we had followed sufficient of the recommendations to arrive at a score with which we were satisfied and made us a very fair deal for a two visit test with the second one scored and registered. I would recommend finding an assessor with whom a rapport can be built so that, as with, in the old days a friendly MOT inspector you car would not be failed if one 12v bulb had blown and easily replaced at the end of the test.

[Hollywood]

Hi, What does anybody know of the obligations on landlords beyond April 2020, with regards to improving the EPC rating to a D then a C in rental properties. Has anything been laid down in law. Is there a timetable for such?

Regards

[jpucng62]

EPC C by 2030 according to ARLA article quoted on this website.

[Nurse Ash]

I have a question - I sadly feel I will know the answer!

Is there any off setting from a tax perspective if you now improve the property - say you weren't a landlord during the years that the government offered the tax relief to get EPC up to scratch ? Can you class this as ' repairs'? What about Solar panels - ???

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

Ash

[tatemono]

single to double glazing yes because there's no other alternative these days so HMRC guidance says that's allowable. But solar panels no because that's an improvement (if you don't currently have any) and they'll be a capital expense you offset against CGT when you sell.