When renting a property in England, landlords must provide tenants with several safety certificates, including the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Gas Safety Certificate, and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Here's what valid versions of these certificates should include and look like:
1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Appearance: An EPC looks like a multi-coloured rating chart similar to those found on home appliances.
- Details: It provides an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also includes a numeric score between 0-100 based on the energy performance of the property.
- Sections:
- Property address.
- Date of assessment and expiration (valid for 10 years).
- Assessor's name and accreditation number.
- Current and potential energy efficiency ratings.
- Recommendations to improve energy efficiency.
2. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
- Appearance: This certificate is typically a formal document that can vary in format but must follow the guidelines set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Details: It confirms the gas appliances in the property have been inspected and are safe to use.
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Sections:
- Property address and tenant details.
- Date of inspection (valid for 12 months).
- Description of each appliance tested (boilers, cookers, etc.).
- Outcome of safety checks, including compliance with legal safety standards.
- Gas engineer's name, Gas Safe registration number, and signature.
3. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
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Appearance: An EICR is a detailed technical report, often several pages long, issued by a qualified electrician after inspecting the electrical systems in the property.
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Details: It assesses the safety of electrical installations and identifies any required remedial work.
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Sections:
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Property address.
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Date of inspection (valid for 5 years)
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Name and registration number of the electrician or electrical company.
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Condition of the electrical installations (rated as "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory").
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Details of any issues identified, including recommendations for remedial work (coded C1, C2, or C3 depending on the urgency)
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Common Features:
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All certificates must clearly state the property address.
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They should be issued by qualified professionals (registered engineers, electricians, or accredited energy assessors).
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They need to include issue and expiry dates to verify their validity.
Ensuring these certificates are valid and up to date is crucial for both landlords and tenants, as they ensure the safety and energy efficiency of a property.
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Last reviewed 13th January 2025