Don’t panic Captain Mainwaring, don’t panic ……. Its in England and Wales (for the moment). From 2018 Landlords will be banned from renting out the worst performing (by Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating) properties in a bid to cut energy bills and carbon emissions. In other words comply with E.U. directives.
Campaigners hailed the move as potentially the most significant piece of legislation in a generation aimed at improving building stock in England and Wales, which is some of the oldest and leakiest in Europe.
It will force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of homes currently rated F and G to a minimum of E by 1 April 2018 – or face being unable to let them until they improve the rating. Almost 10% of England and Wales’ 4.2m privately rented homes currently fall below the E rating.
The regulations also mean that from 1 April 2016, tenants living in F- and G-rated homes will be able to request improvements such as more insulation. The landlord will then be legally bound to bring the home up to an E-rating.
“This is a very big measure. Effectively, we’re saying, if you do not improve your property up to the minimum of EPC [Energy Performance Certificate] E rating by three years’ time, you will not be able to let out that property. Which is quite a big stick, and it’s about time too. It’s really going to make a massive difference between now and the end of the decade,”
The reason I raise this here even though its English/Welsh legislation is obvious. It is going to happen here too, it’s just a question of how and when.
Ignoring the argument about whether it’s a good thing, the thing I would suggest is that if your property isn’t at least a grade ‘E’ then you really need start considering what upgrades you can put in place, possibly even saving for them or getting them done early.
We can help with this, we are happy to give you our opinions on what energy efficiency measures are workable in your specific property, arranging quotes from contractors or specialist firms, facilitating access to the property etc.
Obviously once we have more detailed information on any proposals by the Scottish Government we will let you know, but you do need to think about.
If you have any questions in the meantime please don’t hesitate to contact us at Belvoir Lettings Dundee.
Love Miss Toots X
