Can you say no to an energy assessment by a landlord?

[Pollypocket89]

Hi

My sister lives in a rented house and is vulnerable in terms of covid. She's had someone at her door today telling her the landlord sent them to do an energy assessment on the house.

She told them she's not comfortable at all letting someone in and she's now really worried that she has to let them do this?

Shes moving in a couple of months anyway so I'm thinking it surely can wait

Do you know how much money is wasted because teneants do not allow gas safety inspections and the local authority has to get an injunction? Thousands and thousands. That money could be spent on other things. Tenants who don't look after a property and gripe about problems but don't allow maintenance cost thousands - and yet complain there's never enough money for renovations .

EPC is a legal requirement but it can wait until your sister leaves. It's inconvenient for the landlord. He can't market the property without it. It'll cost him a week or two void period. Well she made her point I suppose. Screw the landlords eh?

@Pollypocket89

The note did say the correct letting agent who is in charge so I think it's legit but I don't think it's a good way to operate.

As you don't have to allow viewings etc and it's not a safety requirement, it seems like she should be able to say no?

As others have said, an energy assessment is a legal obligation. The landlord has to have one.

The landlord must give adequate notice and get the tenant's agreement for any trade visit

The law is less clear on what happens when the two come into conflict.

Ideally your DSis would be given enough notice and could open all windows and doors and be outside when the assessment happens. They need access to all rooms and loft space. It should only take about an hour.

She should talk to the landlord and/or agent and ask them to reschedule it for a time she is more comfortable with.

And yes, she should as her landlord has to comply with the law.

@Pollypocket89

Energy performance certificates are required for rental properties so yes it's a legal requirement

Yes, they are. Yes, she's got one, as I keep saying :D

I missed that. Has she checked it online? Just to be sure it is real.

If it is in date then ignore my last post entirely. Send the landlord a copy of the certificate and ask why he is trying to do it again?

She needs to pick up the phone and talk to the landlord or agent.

The epc are a legal requirement for rental properties but if there is a valid one I don't know why the landlord is paying for another.

The landlord should have given her 24 hours notice before sending people to her doorstep.
However the landlord is unlikely to be paying pointlessly for something so it must be needed for something.
If she talks to agent/landlord she will find out the purpose.

Very poor form from the landlord/letting agent for someone just to turn up. She should have been given a decent amount of notice.

Legally she doesn’t have to allow access although it always helps maintain an amicable landlord/tenant relationship when both parties cooperate (if she’s leaving it’s probably a moot point however).

I’ve known someone refuse access for a Gas Safe but eventually the police attended with the gas safe contractor and a locksmith and they were allowed to force entry to carry it out (after a long drawn out process).

A valid EPC is a legal requirement. If it’s in date however I’m not sure why the landlord needs it unless the rating is low and he’s looking to make improvements (if it was done a long time ago the rating may have changed). As I understand it, the standards are becoming more stringent so what would have passed a few years ago might not now. If he’s been offered an opportunity to get a grant for the improvements it would obviously make financial sense for him to do so.

If she really can’t find a way to allow access I’d advise her to put it in writing outlining her reasons. This might allow the landlord to buy some time with whoever is requesting it.