LANDLORDS From 1st October 2008 landlords offering proeprty to rent will be required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their property. The certificates will have to be provided free of charge by the landlord to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than: when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective tenant: or when a viewing is conducted; or if neither of these occur, before entering into a contract to let.  An Energy Performance Certificate does not have to be made available if: the landlord believes the tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property; or the landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective tenant (although this does not authorise unlawful discrimination).   A new certificate will not be required on each new let since EPCs will be valid for 10 years. There is no legal requirement to obtain a new EPC within 10 years but it may be worthwhile if you make substantial improvements which would increase your rating. IF YOU FAIL TO PRODUCE AN EPC WHEN REQUIRED YOU COULD BE FINED £200 FOR NON-COMPLIANCE BY TRADING STANDARDS AND YOU WOULD STILL NEED TO GET ONE. ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES FOR LANDLORDS ONLY £55 (NO VAT)  FOR ANY RENTAL PROPERTY IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FOR LINCOLNSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE OR DERBYSHIRE PLEASE CALL FOR RATES  07891 582870