Legal compliancy on EPCs improving

News Category: Legal

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More letting agents and landlords obtained energy performance certificates (EPCs) after they became a requirement under law from October last year, research has suggested.

Figures published by Paragon Mortgages have shown that during the fourth quarter of 2008, the number of property owners who were waiting on their next tenancy change before taking out an EPC fell from 81.3 per cent to 45.6 per cent.

But Paragon said: "Whilst this shows an improvement in compliance, it underlines the need for a sustained communication campaign by government."

The decline could indicate that more landlords are taking advantage of rising levels of tenant demand amid the economic downturn - which has disrupted the availability of mortgage products on the market for would-be homebuyers.

It comes after the Association of Residential Letting Agents' annual report for 2008 showed that three-quarters of landlords were waiting for their next tenancy change before taking out an EPC.

Rental property owners are legally required to issue an EPC when marketing a home to rent.

How to stay legally compliant with letting agent software.