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ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES |
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With effect from 1st October 2008 Landlords are now obliged to provide an EPC to prospective tenants, so if you are letting for the first time or your property is coming up for re-let then action is required.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives tenants information on the energy efficiency of their property.It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from "A" to "G", where is "A" is the best and with the average to date being "D/E".
The same criteria and calcuations will be used for all houses, in order that direct comparisons can be made between properties. They will include a recommendation report which will list the potential rating that the house could achieve if changes are made.
As these certificates will be valid for a period of ten years, it is of course advisable to make any improvements prior to the assessment being carried out. For example, fitting loft insulation, installing double glazing and something as simple as changing to energy efficient light bulbs can all improve your rating.
The EPC's can only be produced following a survey by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor, the average cost ranges from £50.00 to 100.00.
About The DPS
The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) is open to all Landlords and Letting Agents, and is the only scheme that is free to use, which means that our administration charges do not include any hidden costs.
The funds are secured with a trusted high street bank, so for safe, secure and straightforward deposit protection, The DPS is ideal.
Key Benefits:
Fast
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Landlords and Letting Agents can access online accounts 24/7 and submit deposits in minutes, allowing us to concentrate on our business, not administration. |
Free
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The DPS is the only Government-authorised service without membership fees, application fees or per-tenant charges for protecting deposits. |
Secure
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Banking support for the service will be provided by Bank of Scotland’s Specialist Deposit Services team, who will safeguard and administer all deposit funds on behalf of Computershare. |
The DPS is also:
Easy to use
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The DPS is specifically designed to be quick and straightforward. It is accessible online at any time, and also available by post. Help and advice is provided through dedicated help lines. |
Inclusive
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The DPS is open to all private landlords and letting agents, with no pre-conditions to meet or assessments to take. |
Fair
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An independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service, run by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, will aim to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action. Landlords, Agents and Tenants could also earn interest on any proportion of the deposit they are entitled to retain at the end of a tenancy. |
Reliable
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The DPS is managed by Computershare Investor Services Plc, a global business with more than eight years’ deposit protection experience. |
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