Do I Need an EPC for a Furnished Holiday Let?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are required for many residential and commercial properties that are sold or let. However, different rules can apply to Furnished Holiday Lets (FHLs).
Whether an EPC is required will depend on how the property is occupied and the nature of the letting arrangement.
What is a Furnished Holiday Let?
A Furnished Holiday Let is generally a property that is let on a short-term basis to holidaymakers rather than being occupied under a long-term residential tenancy agreement.
Examples may include:
Holiday cottages
Coastal apartments
Rural retreats
Short-term holiday accommodation
Are Furnished Holiday Lets Exempt from EPC Requirements?
A property may not require an EPC where it is let as holiday accommodation and is rented out for short periods only.
Government guidance states that an EPC is not required for a building that is:
"let as a holiday accommodation with a written agreement which limits the time the occupier may continuously occupy the property to no more than 31 days, and the property is not occupied for a total of more than four months in any 12-month period by the same person."
Where these conditions are met, an EPC may not be required.
When Might an EPC Be Required?
An EPC is likely to be required if:
The property is marketed for sale.
The property is let under a longer-term tenancy.
The occupation arrangements do not meet the holiday-let exemption criteria.
The property is used as a residential dwelling rather than genuine short-term holiday accommodation.
This can be particularly relevant where a property is used for a mixture of holiday lets and longer-term residential occupation.
What About Airbnb Properties?
Being advertised on Airbnb or another holiday-let platform does not automatically exempt a property from requiring an EPC.
The exemption depends on how the property is occupied and whether the holiday accommodation criteria are met.
What About MEES?
Even where a Furnished Holiday Let may be exempt from EPC requirements, property owners should consider whether any other regulatory requirements apply to their property.
The rules relating to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and EPC exemptions can differ depending on how the property is used.
How Can A1 Home Inspectors Help?
At A1 Home Inspectors, we can help property owners understand EPC requirements and discuss whether an EPC may be required for their holiday let property.
Where there is uncertainty regarding the application of an exemption, property owners should seek professional advice before relying on an exemption.
Unsure whether your holiday let requires an EPC? Contact A1 Home Inspectors today for guidance.
Official Guidance
Property owners should refer to the latest Government guidance regarding EPC requirements and exemptions, as regulations and guidance may change over time.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Whether an EPC is required will depend on the individual circumstances of the property and the nature of the letting arrangement. Property owners should seek independent professional advice where appropriate.
