An EPC or Energy Performance Certificate tells you how energy efficient a property is and they include:
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- Breakdown of a property’s energy performance
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- The enviromental impact of the property
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- Recommended improvements
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- The estimated energy usage alongside potential savings
Current minimum private rental property EPC standards are set at Level E. But, did you know that the EPC standards for private rental properties are changing soon?
Over the next 5 years, it will become a legal requirement that all private landlords must ensure their rental properties hold a minimum C EPC rating.
By improving the energy efficiency of all rental properties by 2030, private tenants can hope to save around £240 a year on their future energy bills!’
Tenants ‘Plagued’ By Shoddy Conditions
Claims that rocketing energy bills are a consequence of an overreliance on international gas markets is a key motivation for the government’s Plan for Change initiative.
Private landlords will be mandated to hit higher EPC ratings in their properties by 2030.
48% of homes in England already fall into an EPC rating of C or above, but it is now an objective to ensure this happens across all properties, ensuring the protection of tenants.
[The Plans] will make sure that all private landlords are investing in their properties, building on the good work of so many to upgrade their homes to EPC C or higher already.
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary
What Will Landlords Need to Do?
Plan for Change will require landlords to invest is measures that make homes warmer and more sustainable including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and even double glazing for windows.
The government are currently seeking opinions from tenants and landlords on the proposals put forward to improve the standard of living and to cut the cost of energy bills.
What Has been Proposed?
- Landords will have a choice over how they will meet the efficiency standards. This will require them to meet a standard of installing measures like insulation and double glazing first, before moving onto other energy measures including batteries, solar panels, and smart meters.
- A cap on how much landlords can spend per property will be £15,000. Support is available for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Warm HomesLocal Grant, which starts this year.
- Exemption of affordability which will see the cost of the cap of £15,000 reduced to £10,000. However, this reduced amount will come down to lower rents or council tax bands.
- The new standards will need to be met by 2030. Homes that are already rated A-C before the introduction of new EPCs would remain compliant until they expire.
Speak With Your Landlord
If you want to make the most out of free energy efficient home improvments, discussing these new proposals with you landlord.
Having a conversation and informing them about the nature of the work would be the first step. You can guide them to visit the Energy Advice Helpline where they can learn more about the ECO4 scheme which involves the installation of:
- Air source heat pumps
- Solar Panels
- Insulation
If they agree, check if you qualify to get the process started by clicking the button below:
