Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

The Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme will not lead to disputes between landlords and tenants once a letting agreement has been signed, according to one expert.

Malcolm Harrison of Harrison Communications points out that under the initiative the landlord has to provide an energy performance certificate at the start of a tenancy.

The tenant then has to decide whether or not it is acceptable to them and if they sign the contract, cannot then turn round and say the energy performance of the property is not good enough, he explains.

"If the tenants are worried about what could be their energy bills, before the tenancy starts they can either ask the landlord to do something about the insulation or draughty windows or whatever, or they can go somewhere else," Mr Harrison adds.

If there are any possible improvements to be made the landlord should seriously consider carrying them out, he continues, as this will make their property more marketable.