Press Release: EPC's branded a waste of time
Nine out of ten of tenants aren’t interested in the energy performance certificate content, according to estate agent Marsh & Parsons. 91% of renters rated EPCs lowest on their list of renting criteria. Cost, location, property condition and size were all deemed more important than a property’s energy rating.
The introduction of EPCs on all rental properties on the 1st of October has been branded a waste of time by prospective tenants and the agent alike.
Emilie Dawes, lettings director at Marsh & Parsons said: “People choose a rental property based on rent, location and wow factor. An EPC won’t persuade a renter not to choose a place they love – it doesn’t carry that much weight.”
When asked to consider a property’s eco-efficiency, renters said their top priority would be double-glazing.
Emilie Dawes continued: “You don’t need an EPC to see whether a house has double glazing or not. The landlords we work with see little value in providing EPCs to their tenants – the information they contain is of limited use for marketing a property. Similarly, the tenants we spoke to thought the content irrelevant.”
While the information contained in the EPC is potentially of use for landlords wishing to improve their properties environmentally, the value for renters is limited - particularly in light of the certificates’ length of validity. Certificates on homes for sale are valid for one year, while EPCs on rented properties last for ten. Tenants do not recognise the value of an up-to-date EPC – a certificate eight years out of date is arbitrary.
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For further information please contact:
The Wriglesworth Consultancy
James Staunton / Sarah Davidson
0207 427 1400
Marsh & Parsons has been part of the London property scene
since 1856. The sales and lettings agent has 14 offices situated in
prime positions across central, west and south London. They have an
intimate and extensive knowledge of the area.
Marsh & Parsons are an independent and professional firm with a
'can-do' attitude covering all aspects of residential property. They
aim to establish individual relationships with clients through a
business built on energy, agility, professionalism and knowledge. Their
business aim is to be the agent who not only understands the local area
around their offices better than any other agent, but also to be at the
heart of the community.
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written by Beth Harper, December 09, 2008
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written by Emilie Dawes, December 09, 2008
Yes, we can of course organise the EPC on your behalf if you would like us to do so – I will email you full details separately of how to do this if you send me your email address. We have a great company that we use who are trustworthy and efficient and most importantly they are registered with us. Some EPC companies outsource their contractors so the quality can vary and it’s important you can trust the person entering your property – especially if you have tenants in situe. The new legislation regarding EPCs came into place on 1st October 2008 but only applies to properties being marketed – not to properties with existing tenants or properties where the tenancy is being renewed for another year – so if you have a tenancy already in place, you won’t need your EPC until it next comes up for remarketing. The good news is that, unlike gas safety certificates, EPCs last for 10 years so it’s almost like a “one off” cost. That said, if you have major works done that would significantly improve the energy performance rating of your property, it may be in your interest to get a new certificate done within that time.
Kind Regards,
Emilie
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written by chris brighton and Hove, May 26, 2010
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