Rented Property Energy Performance Certificates

Rented Property Energy Performance Certificates

Landlord's guide for the landlord owning rented property and the role of the energy inspector. Energy performance, and the issue of energy certificates for rental property. An insight into what an energy assessor does when inspecting rental property as part of the energy assessment.

What is a DEA?

DEA is a licenced domestic energy assessor, a person who has undergone specific training in energy performance of buildings using RdSAP methodology. RdSAP is an acronym for Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure. This method is used for smaller domestic dwellings whereas full SAP is applied to larger commercial properties, institutions, and social housing. The inspector also produces the EPC or Energy Performance Certificate.

The need for home energy certificates is required due to EU legislation the directive for the UK is known as 2002/91/EC. Certificates can only be issued by a qualified energy assessor or home inspector.

Property that is owned by a landlord and is part of their rental property portfolio will be subject to energy assessment to establish the performance of the building in a similar way to residential domestic property.

The same basic energy assessment rules apply, and the home inspector or assessor will survey the dwelling using the same principles for domestic energy performance assessment. Where Social Housing is concerned the issue of a EPC is slightly different.

It is generally agreed that property in either the social or rented sector may have lower performance ratings than those property's in the home residential market. Investment in energy saving measures is on average lower in this sector. Tenants may take a keener interest in the energy rating of homes for let, in order to assess the potential energy usage of such buildings, a higher energy rating,  means lower fuel bills.