Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of having an EPC certificate in place in the UK, considering the imminent government deadlines.

First and foremost, having an EPC certificate in place can help property owners and landlords to comply with legal requirements. There are few other benefits of having a compliant EPC:

• Beyond legal compliance, having an EPC in place can bring financial benefits to property owners and tenants. A more energy-efficient property is likely to have lower energy bills, which can result in significant cost savings over time.
• A property with a higher EPC rating may be more attractive to potential tenants or buyers, as it indicates that the property is more energy-efficient and therefore likely to be cheaper to run. This can translate to higher rental or sales values.
• Having an EPC in place can help to future-proof a property. With energy efficiency becoming an increasingly important consideration for property buyers and tenants, having a good EPC rating can ensure that a property remains attractive and competitive in the market.
• With energy efficiency standards likely to become even more stringent in the coming years, having an EPC in place can help property owners to stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly retrofitting in the future.

As the deadline for achieving net-zero carbon emissions approaches, having an EPC in place is more important than ever.

While having an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is essential, landlords may have a few concerns when it comes to updating their EPC certificate.

• COST: One of the main concerns for landlords in updating their EPC certificate is the cost.

While EPC certificates are relatively inexpensive, the cost of improving a property’s energy efficiency in order to achieve a higher EPC rating can be significant. Depending on the property, this could involve costly measures such as replacing windows, installing a new heating system, or adding insulation. Landlords may worry about the financial impact of making these improvements, especially if they have a large portfolio of properties to update.

• TIME: Another concern for landlords is the time it takes to update an EPC certificate.

Depending on the size and complexity of the property, it can take several days or even weeks to carry out an energy assessment and produce a new EPC certificate.

• IMPACT ON RENTAL INCOME: In some cases, updating an EPC certificate may result in a lower EPC rating, which could have an impact on the rental income that a landlord is able to achieve.

For example, if a property’s EPC rating drops from a C to a D, this could make the property less attractive to potential tenants and result in a lower rental income.

• AVAILABILITY OF ASSESSORS: Another concern for landlords is the availability of energy assessors. 

With the government’s deadline for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, there is likely to be a surge in demand for energy assessments and EPC certificates. This could lead to delays in scheduling inspections and producing EPC certificates, which could cause inconvenience for landlords.

• COMPLEXITY OF REGULATIONS: The regulations around EPCs and energy efficiency can be complex, and it may be difficult for landlords to keep up with the latest requirements. 

For example, there may be changes to minimum EPC ratings or new requirements for reporting on energy efficiency improvements. Landlords may worry about being in breach of regulations if they are unaware of the latest requirements.

Updating an EPC certificate is essential; this is where Manor Interior Solutions can help.

By navigating through these requirements together with our own team of independent assessors, we are able to provide not only the certification itself but more importantly work with you to understand your current position, the aims and objectives for your commercial property and develop a roadmap of recommendation and improvements and that will help you plan the investment required to achieve the best rating for your property.