Tenant - EPC

[wilsonr93]

Hello,

I am halfway through a 12 month tenancy, my estate agent has just got in touch to say that the EPC for the flat has expired and I will be charged £75 for the contractor to update the EPC. There is no mention in my contract or any other documents of the EPC.

Is it reasonable for the estate agents to charge me for this? I was under the impression that this would fall with the landlord.

Thanks

[R0b]

As far as I understand, there is a legal obligation for the landlord to provide an EPC certificate. I don't think the relevant legislation discusses that charges cannot be passed down but I would think in any event that is probably going to be considered unfair if there was a contractual clause to that effect.

Given that there is nothing in your tenancy agreement, then I would say you are not obliged to pay for it and the landlord/letting agent might be trying to pass on the costs or a proportion of it.

Suggest you politely write back to them and say that you understand the legislation requires the landlord obtain a valid EPC certificate and it is not therefore your responsibility. In any event, there is nothing in the contract that says you are liable to pay for and/or contribute to the EPC certificate. Can they explain on what basis, legal or contractual, why you have to pay for it.