Landlords – Are you doing enough to help your tenants through the Energy Crisis?
If you are a landlord it is your duty to ensure that you are providing a warm, comfortable and energy efficient home for your tenants.
With energy bills on increase it has never been more important to ensure that your properties are well insulated with an efficient heating system in place.
Since 1 April 2020 , landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties if they have a rating below E unless they have a valid exemption in place .
If you are currently renting a property with an EPC rating of F or G and you haven’t already taken action, you must improve the properties rating to E immediately or register an exemption.
What are the proposed changes to EPC requirements?
The UK Government has proposed changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for England and Wales – all rental properties will need an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above by 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for every existing tenancy. Not having a valid EPC could mean you face penalties of up to £30,000.
In Scotland, the latest government regulations similarly state that all private rented properties must have an EPC band of ‘C’ or higher by 2025 where ‘technically feasible and cost-effective’, with a backstop date of 2028 for all remaining properties. This replaces the Scottish Government’s previous plan to introduce an EPC ‘D’ standard.
Getting your property to an EPC rating of ‘C’ is a bit more difficult than ‘E’, particularly if it’s an older building. It’s recommended to go for a building ‘fabric-first’ approach, which includes looking at wall, loft and floor insulation.
These proposed requirements from both the UK and Scottish Governments are part of the drive to make homes more energy efficient and help reach net zero by 2050.
Funding improvements to your property
The cost cap: you will never be required to spend more than £3,500 (including VAT) on energy efficiency improvements.
If you cannot improve your property to EPC E for £3,500 or less, you should make all the improvements which can be made up to that amount, then register an ‘all improvements made’ exemption.
If your tenants are on certain benefits they may qualify to have the home improvements installed either fully or part funded under the ECO 4 scheme.
How can LMF Energy services Help?
If you are concerned that your property may not meet the required standards or are just looking to upgrade your property, please contact for an informal discussion.
LMF Energy Services are currently installing the following measures:
Please get in touch today to find out how we can help or click here to find out more about the ECO 4 Scheme.
