Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Many rental property landlords are unsure about the effectiveness of energy performance certificates (EPCs), the National Landlords Association (NLA) suggests.

Under property laws, a number of tenancies in England and Wales are required to have an EPC in place if they started during or after October 2008.

However, the NLA now believes that the certificates, which measure the energy and carbon efficiency of buildings using different grades, may not be major considerations for some tenants.

The organisation claims that a number of landlords calling its advice line are now questioning the need for them as many tenants are unaware of the current regulations.

Sussanne Chambers, a director at the NLA, commented that tenants do not always consider EPCs as being important factors when looking to rent properties.

She said: "As always, it is the responsible landlords who have commissioned EPCs and for whom they are now part and parcel of their lettings business."

EPCs are designed to support the government in its bid to drastically reduce the UK's carbon emissions.