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Ask The Agent.


Richards is an independent Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen, specialising in residential properties for sale and rent as well as property management in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and the surrounding areas.


Jason Spiers MNAEA, the owner of Richards Estate Agents, has been an agent for over 25 years.


Let us know any


questions you may have about moving and he’ll answer them for you.


Hello Jason,


I have heard rumours that the Government is planning to change the rules governing Energy Performance Certifi cates for rented properties. As a landlord with three properties, what’s going on? Mr E Chan


Hello Mr Chan,


I think you must be talking about the Government’s proposal to introduce a minimum energy performance rating of EPCs within the private rental sector. I understand this change is due to be implemented in April next year.


What this means, just to make it clear, is that from April all private rental properties will need to have a minimum EPC rating of E, otherwise it will be illegal to rent them out to tenants, and they will have to be taken off the rental market altogether – or at least, until the necessary work has been carried out and a new E-rated EPC acquired.


I understand that for the fi rst two years, this new rule will only apply to new tenancies and renewals. From April 2020, however, it will be extended to cover all private rentals.


For landlords, of course, rather than suffer


any break in income generation, it makes far


more sense to ensure that all their properties comply with the new


EPC rating requirement


before the appropriate deadline. And, since for existing tenancies and renewals that deadline is now only some seven months away, it is probably advisable to start planning any necessary improvement works sooner rather than later.


So far, so good. Needless to say, however, as things currently stand there is still a worrying lack of clarity – and hence a considerable degree of confusion – within the private rental sector regarding the detail of these changes. The Government is supposed to be issuing specifi c guidance on the subject this October – although with everything else the Government has on its plate at the moment, I personally won’t be holding my breath. Nevertheless, this clarifi cation – if and when it comes – will hopefully include details of any cost capping on the improvement works landlords are expected to carry out, and will presumably also confi rm that some – if not all – listed buildings are exempt from the change (since they are exempt from EPCs in any case).


Meanwhile, however, I would suggest that all landlords look at their EPC ratings and see what work can be done to improve (if it’s below an E). Better to be safe than sorry!


Regards Jason


Ask The Agent is brought to you by Richards Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen.


If you have a question for Jason, please email: jason@richardsestateagents.co.uk or feel free to pick up the phone and call us on (01202) 602121.


26 To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email karen@broadstonelink.co.uk


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