By Tony Booth

They already form the major part of Home Information Packs for sellers and, like them or not, Energy Performance Certificates matter. They will become mandatory for tenanted properties before the end of this year.

Landlords and buy-to-let investors beware - if you don't have an EPC in place by 1st October this year, you won't be permitted to let your property to new tenants. This is what you need to know about these certificates and how to get one for your let-property, before the deadline date.

Why the legislation?

Ever since it was realised that buildings consume half the entire amount of energy used in the UK, the government has been working towards reducing this statistic by legislating against homeowners, property investors and (now) landlords in the buy-to-let arena.