Energy Performance Certificates for Holiday Lets

Friday, 18 March 2011 09:23

The outcome of the consultation document ‘Making better use of energy performance certificates and data’ was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 29 November 2010.

Amongst the proposals in the original consultation was to require energy performance certificates (EPCs) for short-term holiday lets.

DCLG have decided to take forward this proposal and as a result an EPC must be obtained for properties that are rented out as holiday lets for 4 months or more in any 12 month period when they are first let out.

Members will recall that in 2006 the NCC successfully lobbied Government on behalf of the caravan industry to exclude the caravan product (caravan holiday homes and residential park homes) from the requirement to have an EPC and this exemption remains in place today.

However, the exemption does not extend to 'buildings' which are outside the definition of a caravan e.g. chalets, holiday flats, modular building lodges etc. In this context 'building' is defined ‘as a roofed construction having walls for which energy is used to condition the indoor environment. This definition excludes caravans, tents, mobile homes etc.’

Park members with accommodation available for hire outside this definition should be aware that an EPC will now be required for property rented out as holiday lets where the building is occupied as a result of a short term letting arrangement and is rented out for a combined total of 4 months or more in any 12 month period.

We have been advised that this change will take effect from 30 June 2011 and an addendum to DCLG’s guidance will be published in due course.

For further information please visit:

www.communities.gov.uk/archived/publications/planningandbuilding/epclandlordguide or download copies of the guidance here and summary of responses here

THIS APPLIES ONLY TO ENGLAND AT THE MOMENT - We understand that Government are to issue an apology for not making that clear!

We are indebted to the National Caravan council for this information.

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