23^rd Nov 2018

The Government's Minister for Energy and Clean Growth Minister, Claire Perry, has announced that any landlords who wishes to sell their property will not be allowed to if the home has an EPC rating of F or G.

From April this year, landlords who rent out homes that fall into the F and G ratings must ensure that they are improved to meet the acceptable standard, there is some funding available to help landlords achieve the target.

The recently announced measures, after the government had concluded its public consultation, will now provide even more support to landlords who need to upgrade their properties.

From 2019 any rented homes that have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of F or G will have to be upgraded by landlords to the bands of E and lower, failure to do so will mean they will not be allowed to be rented out for new tenancies.

It is estimated that the average cost will be around £1,200 and will more than likely affect 290,000 properties, which is roughly 6% of the overall UK housing market.

Once the improvements have been made it will potentially save an average of £180 per household, whilst at the same time cutting down carbon emissions. Landlords' property values will rise because of the improved EPC rating and efficiencies making it financially worthwhile for any landlord that to upgrade their property.

The Minister, Claire Parry, said: “While the vast majority of landlords take great pride in the properties they own, a minority still rent out housing that is difficult to keep warm. Upgrading these homes so they are more energy efficient is one of the most effective ways to tackle fuel poverty and help bring down bills for their tenants, saving them £180 a year.

The Government's Housing Minister, Heather Wheeler, said: “I strongly welcome these new measures, which will help improve the coldest homes, protecting tenants whilst also saving them money.

“This builds on our on-going work to crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords and drive up standards in the Private Rented Sector, including through our reviews of health and safety standards and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in the home.”

One of the largest causes of 'home deaths' in the PRS is through excess cold and the World Health Organisation states that nearly a third (30%) of winter deaths can be stopped if homes are being kept warm during these months.

The vast majority of landlords will not need to worry as their homes have already achieved the acceptable standard and the average cost to make an F or G rated property be compliant (£1,200) is much lower than the upper ceiling which is included in next year's measures.

The type of work will include improving loft insulation, low energy lighting, or installing floor insulation.

If landlords can show that their compliancy costs will be more than £3,500 for their property, they will be allowed to register for an exemption.

The newly announced measures coming into force next year will affect approximately 200,000 landlords, and there will be some who will be able to find funding from available schemes; one of which is the Energy Company Obligation scheme with local grants to help ensure that the acceptable standard will be reached.


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