Lettings agents urged to prepare for EPC deadline

News Category: Legal

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Letting agents have been urged to ensure they have energy performance certificates (EPCs) prepared for new properties by the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS).

EPCs are set to become a legal prerequisite for all residential lettings as of October 1st 2008.

But according to Caroline Pickering, chair of the NALS, lettings agents should see EPCs as a selling point for potential tenants rather than a burden.

She said: "It is a 'win-win' situation for tenants, landlords and lettings agents.

"Leaving your assessment until the last minute could cause unnecessary lengthy hold-ups, especially if everyone else does the same."

Compulsory EPCs policy is one of a number of proposals to reduce the UK's carbon emissions.

The government hopes EPCs for residential lettings will reduce emissions in domestic housing by 27 per cent.

Lettings agents must contact their local Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) ahead of the deadline to ensure that their properties are fully compliant.


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