If you are a landlord in Glasgow, you may have heard about the need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This certificate is a legal requirement for all residential properties in Scotland. It provides information about the energy efficiency of a building, recommending improvements that could lower utility bills and improve the value of your property. The certificate also demonstrates to potential purchasers that your property is energy efficient.
Landlords have to keep their EPCs up to date to meet the legal requirements. When you are letting a property you need to provide the tenant with a copy of the EPC at the start of the tenancy. As you might imagine, this is a bit of a pain for a landlord with tenants in place, but it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure you comply.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways for landlords to make their properties more energy efficient. From installing double-glazed windows and replacing old heating systems to using LED lights, there are plenty of ways you can help reduce your energy costs. In addition, there are several government funding schemes that can help you finance these improvements. Whether you need to pay for the work yourself or borrow money, the Scottish Government has a number of options available.
One option is to purchase an energy efficiency measure package, which you can get from an approved supplier. They can recommend energy-efficient upgrades to your home and include estimates for the cost of these improvements. By following their recommendations, you will be able to save money on your electricity bill and improve your property’s value in the long-term.
Another option is to have an EPC survey done, which can be performed by a qualified EPC assessor. The results will give you a rating between A and G, and it should be obvious that the highest rated buildings are those that are the most energy-efficient. However, the survey only looks at the basics, such as the heating and lighting systems. You may want to consider improving the insulation of your home to make it more energy-efficient.
Finally, you might want to have your property PAT tested. Portable Appliance Testing is a more thorough examination of electrical appliances. This EPC for landlords in Glasgow test can be performed at competitive rates and will provide a detailed report about the safety of your appliances.
Finally, you might be interested to know that there is a Scottish EPC register, which can be searched by your building’s postcode. Essentially, it is a database of all AO assessors in Scotland. These are professional people who will be able to inspect your property and provide you with an energy performance certificate.
Obtaining an EPC is a big undertaking, so you may find it useful to have a specialist do it for you. Aside from the EPC, you will need to have an electrical installation condition report (EICR) and Legionella risk assessment. To avoid fines, you must provide these documents at the earliest opportunity.