Energy efficiency

Landlords are reminded that the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 come into force in April 2023. These Regulations establish a minimum level of energy efficiency for privately rented property in England and Wales.

Requirements in force from 1 April 2018

This means that, from 1 April 2018, landlords of privately rented property in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants.

These requirements will apply to all private rented properties in England and Wales, even where there has been no change in tenancy arrangements from 1 April 2023 for non-domestic properties. This means that from 1 April 2023, landlords must not continue letting a non-domestic property which is already let if that property has an EPC rating of band F or G.

The National PRS Exemptions Register

If a landlord believes that an EPC F or G rated property, they let qualifies for an exemption from the minimum energy efficiency standard, that exemption must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register – a self-certification database.

Non-domestic private rented property

This refers to any privately rented property that is not a dwelling, meaning a building or part of a building occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling. A property may be a whole building, or may be a unit within a building. (The meaning of non-domestic private rented property is set by Regulation 20(1), as defined by section 42(1)(b) of the Energy Act 2011.)

To discuss this or any other property matter, contact us.