As an estate agent, are you prepared for the 2018 changes to EPC regulations?
Energy performance certificate regulations are set to get a lot stricter as the UK government pushes for us all to be more energy efficient and conscious of wastage. As an experienced heating engineer, I’ve already been blogging about some of these changes.
In all likelihood, you’ll probably at least be aware that things are set to change in the next couple of years. However, I’ve put together this blog post to clarify exactly what these changes are and what they mean to estate agents – as well as some practical advice on your next steps.
Are you sitting comfortably?
Current EPC regulations
Currently, an energy performance certificate shows how a house is performing at present in relation to things like heat loss and wastage, as well as making recommendations for energy efficient measures such as fitting wall insulation, loft insulation, a new A-rated boiler, upgraded controls, or solar panels.
It also shows what level of energy efficiency could be achieved if these measures were to be carried out. However, this is still fairly passive – only a recommendation – with none of the changes mandatory, regardless of the current energy rating of a property.
One of the latest changes is that of April 2016, tenants will be entitled to ask their landlords to carry out measures recommended on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and the landlord will have a legal obligation to do so.
But fast forward two whole years, and the regulations are set to become even stricter…
What the 2018 regulations mean
The changes to EPC regulations set to kick in on April 1st 2018mean that an energy rating of F or G will cause many headaches for estate agents and letting agents. Essentially, it will become illegal to let out a property with a rating lower than E.
As an estate agent, you will suddenly find yourself having to refuse to take any properties on your books with an F or G rating, at least until energy efficient measures have been carried out on that property.
But wait a minute – what about the properties you already manage?
Be prepared for hard work
We’ve regularly called into properties in Edinburgh to carry out services and repairs to find boilers are older and very inefficient. In fact, current statistics state that 26% of Domestic properties being let achieve an E, F or G rating.
This means estate agents and letting agents are going to have to work very hard to keep their clients up-to-speed – something you should preferably start to do sooner rather than later.
It’s always better to be prepared, and there are some things you can do right now to make sure things are organised for April 2018:
Step 1: Start writing
As a first step, I’d recommend writing a few informative blog posts (much like this one) and putting together an email to your current database of clients telling them all they need to know about the upcoming changes to regulations. You’ll find that most of them will really appreciate the heads-up.
Step 2: Build relationships
With heating contractors in particular, as these are the people who will be particularly busy helping estate agents, letting agents and landlords get their properties up-to-scratch in the months leading up to April 2018 – best make friends now before things get too hectic!
Conclusion
And there we have it – above we’ve detailed everything you can expect from the upcoming changes to EPC regulations, and even a couple of practical steps you can take now to prepare your estate agency for April 2018. I hope you leave this blog post feeling a bit more informed and reassured.
Do you have any questions about these changes? Let me know in the comments section, or give us a call here at Superwarm – we’ll be happy to help.
