Comments on: Energy price rises anticipated

By: HIP-Consultant.co.uk

HIP-Consultant.co.uk — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:19:15 +0000

Hi Alison,

You are correct that if you are a current/exisiting tenant your Landlord has no legal obligation to provide an EPC as of 1/10/08.

Unfortunately, as it stands at present if you remain in the property for the next 22yrs your Landlord would not ‘require’ an EPC to be carried out.

The legislation is heavily based around providing an EPC when the property is marketed. Further details on when a Landlord must provide an EPC can be found here.

However, some Local Authorities/Housing Association/Landlords are planning on certificating all there housing stock in due course. It is our experience that void properties will be targeted for certification first and will be a priority, though properties with existing tenants may well also be certificated. I would advise speaking with your housing association/landlord and asking whether this will be the case.

It may also be an option for you to speak with your Landlord about your intention of making energy efficent improvements to the property; explaining that you feel the EPC would provide a good basis to identifying which improvements would be beneficial in being made. Most landlords value improvements being made by tenants that ultimately add value to the property.

I would be interested in their response if you do ask. Hope this helps.

By: alison beckett

alison beckett — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:36:39 +0000

I have been a tenant for the past 22yrs (ex city council) now housing association or social landlord. It is my understanding that as a CURRENT TENANT i cannot request to see an EPC on my property, as it is not a legal requirement. As a new tenant i could request to see an EPC on my property as it is now a legal requirement, so in actual fact i cannot reduce my CO2’s because i don’t no what they currently are anyway!!! and apparently i have no legal right to find out. Discrimination and double standards scream out loud, whilst i have no choice but to continue to shut up and pay my increasing ENERGY BILLS for the same amount of RENT, what happened to my choise and rights??? Please where do i stand?

By: stuart

stuart — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:53:32 +0000

With these price rises the rental market might use the EPC - energy performance certificate from 1st October 2008 - to good advantage.

Given 2 properties of similar loaction, size etc then the property with the better energy rating might get attract a higher monthly rent or rent faster.

It will be interesting to see how this new market develops.

By: HIP-Consultant.co.uk

HIP-Consultant.co.uk — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:25:53 +0000

…and right on cue. From today, British Gas is raising the price of its gas by 35 per cent, while customers buying electricity from it will pay 9.4 per cent more. Households who buy both services from the utility will see their dual fuel bills rise by 25 per cent.

I believe this is the biggest single price hike and makes EDF’s rise almost look modest.

The increases mean the average household’s dual fuel bill will rise from £1,055 a year to £1,322. It is advised that those on direct debit payments with estimated readings increase their monthly payments. If not, don’t be suprised when you are giving a whopping bill when they check your meter. Be warned.

By: HIP-Consultant.co.uk

HIP-Consultant.co.uk — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:25:00 +0000

Hi Max,

Your comments are welcome whether you agree or disagree with our posts.

Just this week one of the major suppliers has announced further energy price rises. EDF announced that its UK arm is increasing its electricity and gas bills by 17 percent and 22 percent respectively.

It is now expected the other ‘players’ in the market will follow suit fairly shortly.

By: Max

Max — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:06:23 +0000

I don’t mean to be too in your face, but I’m not sure I agree with this. Anyhow, thanks for sharing and I think I’ll come to this blog more often.