PROPERTY owners are being reminded to check their energy performance certificates (EPCs) are not about to run out.

The scheme has reached its tenth anniversary, having first come into law in England and Wales in August 2007.

It was designed to give details of a property's energy use and typical energy costs, and to make recommendations about reducing energy use.

The certificates, which also give a rating from A to G, are only valid for ten years - and a property expert at regional law firm Napthens is warning that many are about to run out, often without the property owner’s knowledge.

EPCs are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented, and must be in place before a property is marketed.

Napthens, which has offices in Kendal and Penrith, says this will become even more critical when a new standard for energy efficiency comes into effect in April 2018, meaning all new lettings and tenancy renewals must meet a minimum E rating or face a fine of up to £4,000.

Amy Leslie, head of residential property at Napthens, said: “Much of the time EPCs are something people become aware of when they are putting a property up for sale or to rent, and promptly forget.

"Now the tenth anniversary of their introduction is nearly upon us, landlords must check whether their EPCs are still valid, by confirming the date of the certificate and ensuring it is less than ten years old.

"Existing certificates can easily be checked through the website of the National Energy Performance Certificate Register, where an assessor can also be found to produce a new one.

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking the only people to need an EPC are private landlords. Property owners thinking of buying or selling a property must also be aware of their importance, and companies renting out commercial property will also need to make sure everything is in place.

“Certificates may only have a few months left to run, and it’s important to leave enough time to get a new one in place.”