Anyone renting out a property must be able to show an energy label when doing so. In the Netherlands, we are increasingly concerned with making our houses more sustainable. Good for the climate and environment and good for your wallet. Because by making a house more sustainable, less heat is lost in the winter and it stays cooler in the summer on the basis of insulation. And there are other measures to make a house more sustainable. In this way, we consume less gas and energy. For this very reason, a tenant should always be able to have insight into the energy performance of the property. Therefore, it is mandatory to communicate the energy label of the house at all times. Not only when signing the contract, but also, for example, on social media or one’s own website.
What is the energy label?
Based on the energy label, the new tenant can immediately see how energy efficient a property is. The label is graded on a scale from A to G. Anyone renting an A-rated home is renting a very green and energy-efficient house. As a result, the tenant will pay less for his gas and energy bills than is the case with a G-rated property. Those who rent a property with energy label G usually live in a poorly insulated property that is very inefficient in terms of energy consumption. The Minister of Housing has now announced that within ten years, all rental properties must have at least energy label C.
As a tenant, it is then immediately clear how energy efficient the house is. No one is waiting for a beautiful house with a sky-high energy bill. This should be well understood in advance. The energy label was created for this very reason. By the way, the energy label is not only mandatory when renting out the house, but also when selling a house.
Determination of energy label
It is a legal requirement to show an energy label when renting. This energy label is not only noted with the lease, but must also be clearly stated when the property is offered. Therefore, the energy label is also clearly stated on the landlord’s website and also in advertisements on social media. All houseowners have already received a preliminary energy label in 2015. This is an estimate based on known data. But in practice, the provisional and final energy labels turn out to be quite different. For example, because more or fewer energy-saving measures were taken than expected.
Therefore, it is important to apply for a final energy label. This energy label is determined based on a number of data. Consider:
- Housing type;
- Year built;
- Area;
- Glass/window type;
- Insulation of the facade, roof and floor;
- Type of heating;
- Water supply;
- Solar energy;
- Adequate ventilation.
Apply for energy label
It is a legal requirement to be able to demonstrate the energy label. Therefore, it is necessary to apply for one. It used to be possible to do this through the Energielabelvoorwoningen.nl website and it didn’t cost more than a couple of pennies. Today there is a new energy label called a “BENG label. BENG stands for “Nearly Energy Neutral Buildings. This label can cost between €200 and €400 depending on the house and on the rates of the EPA consultant who prepares it. This label is so expensive because it is a much more comprehensive energy label than before. For example, an EPA consultant must record many features of the house in detail and make many calculations. It may be necessary to show evidence of the energy-saving measures. Think for example of showing invoices, photos or a construction report. Then an accredited expert will visit and determine the final energy label.
The landlord must pay these costs himself. An energy label is valid for ten years. Have drastic new measures been taken? Then it’s a good idea to apply for a new energy label.
Energy label mandatory
The energy label is mandatory when renting a home. The only exception that applies is when it comes to room rentals. Then the energy label is not mandatory. In other cases, the energy label should always be clearly displayed on social media, one’s own website and newspaper advertisements. Those who fail to do so may risk a fine. This is because the Human Environment and Transport (IL&T) inspectorate strictly enforces the energy label.