Don’t ignore law and bury head in the sand

Aug 13 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

BUY-TO-LET landlords in Liverpool are being warned to make sure they have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in place by the end of September to avoid hefty fines.

It will be a legal requirement for landlords to show prospective tenants an EPC from October 1. Failure to do so could lead to the landlord being prevented from marketing their property and a £200 fine, which can be issued an unlimited number of times.

Richard Globe, who runs the Merseyside-based Property Landlord Support Services Centre, told LDP Business he was concerned that complacency could cost some property owners dear.

He said: “No one should become complacent or bury their head in the sand, because anyone who fails to provide an EPC after October 1 faces an instant fine of £200 per property.

“Further fines could also be incurred on a daily basis, until the offender gets a certificate.”

Mr Globe also pointed out that landlords can get a tax break of up to £1,500 per property against the purchase and installation of energy-saving items.

His call to property owners was echoed by buy-to-let specialist lender Paragon Mortgages, who are particularly concerned for those landlords operating in the student accommodation market.

Although most landlords will have tenancies secured for the 08/09 academic year, which typically begins in September or October, students begin looking for accommodation for the following academic year as early as November, Paragon says.

Managing director John Heron added: “Because landlords have secured tenancies for this academic year already, they haven’t been required to show an EPC certificate.

“They should not rest on their laurels, though, and think they can delay obtaining an EPC assessment.

“Students look to secure property for the following academic year early, so they don’t have to worry about finding accommodation when they have the stress of summer exams, so landlords without an EPC for their property could find themselves missing out.

“Letting to students can be lucrative as landlords typically charge on a per- room basis, and the tenancy usually comes with a parental guarantee, but landlords have to comply with an increasing number of regulations.

“EPCs are a legal requirement, so it’s important that they are in place to avoid delays when marketing the property.”

Mr Globe has copies of two guidance booklets.

He can be reached on 0151 639 6253 up to 10pm, Monday to Friday, and 07761 813260 at weekends.

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk