Not personally a big fan of EPC's just seems like more expense for landlords and so far we have had very little interest from tenants in ratings etc - but maybe this is set to change . . .

Here is what ARLA have to say on the topic

Cost of Government green measures for private rented sector landlords revealed

Landlords are urged to consider what works may be required to improve their property's EPC ratings sooner rather than later, to stay ahead of planned regulation.

Research provided by the BPF and Energy Saving Trust has shown that the cost of improving a typical F rated property to an E rating - which is likely to be the minimum standard for private rentals from 2018 - ranges from just £100 up to £660. However, improving the property to the highest possible EPC rating could cost almost £20,000.
With December's census revealing home ownership had fallen for the first time since records began and the number renting from a landlord doubling to 3.6 million homes, improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector will be key in helping to meet the Government's climate change obligations.
With this in mind the British Property Federation and the Energy Saving Trust today published a free guide explaining how landlords can plan and fund improvements to help ensure their investment will be lettable from 2018.
To meet the Government's energy efficiency rules, the guide reveals a typical:

• one bedroom Victorian mid-terrace converted flat will cost £659 to improve from an F to an E rated EPC, but £11,182 to improve from an F to a C rated EPC;
• two bedroom 1970s flat will cost £150 to improve from an F to an E rated EPC, but £14,927 to improve to a C rated EPC;
• two bedroom end-terrace Victorian house will cost £245 to improve from an F to an E rated EPC, but £19,586 to a B rated EPC (excluding earnings from feed-in tariffs);
• three bedroom mid-century semi-detached house will cost £100 to improve from an F to an E rated EPC, but £13,154 to improve to a B rated EPC (excluding feed-in tariffs).

Leak At France Factory Causes Strong Smell On Sussex Coast

Sussex Police have reported that the strong smell of a diesel type aviation fuel along parts of the East Sussex coast are because of a leak at a factory near Paris.

There are reports of it around Winchelsea and Fairlight as well as Hastings and Bexhill.

They say there is no danger to members of the public.

   

Important advice for consumers who have flues which run in ceiling spaces

Some properties, mainly flats and apartments, have been built with boiler flues which cannot be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings. The boiler flues that this information relates to are connected to room-sealed fan assisted boilers. If you live in one of these homes then please read on for more information so you know what to do.

Gas Safe registered engineers need to be able to see the flue − which take fumes away from the boiler − as part of essential safety checks whenever the boiler is worked on. A flue in poor condition, combined with a boiler that is not working properly, could put you and your family in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.

If your boiler is situated on an outside wall, it is unlikely you have this type of flue. Alternatively, if your engineer can see all of the flue, you will not need to take any further action in relation to this matter.

If you do have a boiler where all, or part of, the flue cannot be seen and you are a landlord, will need to arrange for inspection hatches to be fitted.   From 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe registered engineer will turn the boiler off, with your permission and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate places.

For more information visit   http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/flues_in_voids.aspx