Under new government regulations, landlords will have to ensure their properties have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above by 2030. Ed Miliband, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary made the announcement.
These new regulations for landlords will mean that many properties will have to undergo major changes to meet the new requirements. This change will be part of the overall government strategy to tackle fuel poverty. You can find out more about Miliband’s plans for UK energy in this blog post.
What is Fuel Poverty?
Fuel poverty is something your tenants could be suffering from. According to the House of Commons, it impacts 13% of households in England, 20% in Scotland, and 14% in Wales.
People experiencing fuel poverty spend a high proportion of their income on their energy or to keep their home and a reasonable temperature. It can be worsened by:
- A low income
- Fuel costs
- Having a high energy consumption
The real-life impact of fuel poverty means many people are faced unable to pay their energy bills, are forced to live in cold homes, or have to make the critical choice between heating and eating.
Living in these conditions, for example, a cold home, can worsen health conditions and severely impact mental health.
For these reasons, tackling fuel poverty is a high priority for the UK government.
What Are The New Regulations For Landlords?
The new regulations mean that properties won’t be suitable for rental agreements if their EPC rating isn’t high enough. This means that landlords will have to improve the energy efficiency of properties before they can be offered to tenants. This could mean undertaking a range of measures, such as:
- Upgrading heating systems (e.g. to solar panels or a heat pump)
- Insulating
- Investing in double-glazing
- Upgrading your boiler
These improvements are costly and will force landlords to make significant investment in their properties if they are not energy efficient. Fortunately, there are a range of government-backed grants and schemes available that offer funding for these improvements.
These schemes include:
The Great British Insulation Scheme – offers multiple types of insulation for properties, including cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, flat/pitched roof insulation, or underfloor insulation.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme – upgrades old boilers to newer, more efficient models.
The Home Upgrade Grant – offers a range of home improvements such as insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, double glazing, and electric storage heaters.
The ECO4 Scheme – offers free solar panels, insulation, and an air source heat pump to eligible properties.
What Were The Previous Requirements For Landlords?
All rental properties must have an EPC rating of E or higher before they are let to tenants. If it is lower than this, you may be able to apply for an exemption.
Another option is applying government-backed grant, where your property can be upgraded for free.
The ECO4 scheme is open to landlords, subject to criteria. Qualifying properties receive insulation, solar panels, and an air source heat pump completely free of charge.
Our Free Support Service For Landlords
Paperwork:
Our administration team will take care of all the paperwork needed for applying. We’ll make sure this is accurate and submitted without delay, so that you can focus on managing your properties without added stress.
Tenant Liaison:
Energy Advice Helpline will liaise directly with your tenants on your behalf. We’ll let them know about the planned improvements and answer any questions they might have. We’ll also take control of scheduling to ensure a smooth process that works for you and your tenants.
Experienced Installers:
Working with Energy Advice Helpline ensures that you’ll get a certified installer to carry out projects to the highest standard.
Compliance and Quality Assurance:
All wok carried out under the schemes fully complies with current building regulations and standards. Plus, we provide quality assurance to make sure improvements meet required specifications.
