MP moves to close EPC loophole for HMOs
AFS Team·18 January 2013·3 min read
EPC rules exempt house in multiple occupation landlords (HMO) from giving tenants who rent rooms in a shared house details of the property’s energy rating.
EPC ratings only apply to tenants renting an entire property under assured shorthold tenancy agreements – not tenants renting individual rooms and sharing kitchens and bathrooms in homes.
So student landlords renting out rooms on licence in an HMO do not have to provide EPC information, while those letting a house to a group of students on a single tenancy agreement do.
The certificates are designed to highlight about the energy efficiency of their home. Other information includes details about carbon emissions and the likely cost of heating and lighting.
Whitehead’s bill is aimed at ending the discrepancy for tenants.
However, the bill is unlikely to become law despite picking up support from the green lobby due to lack of support from the government and a lack of Parliamentary time for discussion.
Dr Whitehead explained the bill would give tenants clear information about the energy efficiency of a property before they sign a contract with a landlord.
"Because HMO landlords renting out their rooms on an individual basis don't at present have to provide EPCs," he said. "They avoid what was supposed to be a universal government requirement across the private rented sector to give tenants the right to request reasonable energy efficiency improvements and to bring the energy efficiency of properties up to grade E by 2018.
"This Bill draws in HMOs under the scope of the 2011 Energy Act, which was always I believe the original intention of the government but which hasn't happened because of this loophole.
"It's a simple way of getting tenants a fairer deal, and making sure the government's aspirations on improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector move forward. I hope the government gives the Bill a fair hearing next week."
