Government consultation to increase minimum EPC rating to band C for PRS

Government consultation to increase minimum EPC rating to band C for PRS

10:46 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago 100

Text Size

The Government has just released a new consultation proposing to amend the energy efficiency regulations for the PRS in England and Whales and raise the minimum EPC rating for rented property to band C.

To download the consultation document click here

The consultation proposal would also allow Councils to impose a fine on landlords of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.

This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposal to amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (from now on referred to as “the PRS Regulations”). The proposed amendments would significantly improve the energy performance of private rented sector homes in the 2020s, in order to:

Deliver significant emission reductions, which will contribute to Carbon Budgets 4 and 5 and support a decarbonisation pathway consistent with our Net Zero 2050 target;

– Decrease bills for low income and vulnerable tenants, in support of the government’s statutory fuel poverty target;

– Increase the quality, value and desirability of landlords’ assets;

– Reduce energy bills for tenants and ensure warmer homes;

– Support investment in high-quality jobs and skills in the domestic retrofit supply chain across England and Wales;

– Provide greater energy security through lower energy demand on the grid and reduced fuel imports.

The detailed proposals for amending the PRS Regulations are set out in Chapter 1 below outlines the preferred policy scenario for improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, comprising four elements:

– Raising the energy performance standard to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) energy efficiency rating (EER) Band C;

– A phased trajectory for achieving the improvements for new tenancies from 2025 and all tenancies from 2028;

– Increasing the maximum investment amount, resulting in an average per-property spend of £4,700 under a £10,000 cap

– Introducing a ‘fabric first’ approach to energy performance improvements.

The government strongly encourages responses by the 30th December to be submitted online using the Citizen Space link below as this supports timely and efficient analysis of responses.

Respond online at: beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/energy-efficiency/improving-energy-performance-privately-rented-home

Or Email to: PRStrajectoryConsultation@beis.gov.uk

When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the questions posed, though further comments and evidence are also welcome.


Share This Article


Comments

Private Housing Provider

11:20 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

Absolutely crazy. Why not increase it to the impossible A rating that council and housing association dwelling can't even reach?

Many properties can only have so much done to it. So they really need to start being reasonable.

David

11:21 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

and eventually they will require all properties to be in band A. I assume the recent grants will cover this work or at least they should make the freeholders of blocks pay for this work.The major global players are just laughing at this idiotic government who really believe our minute contribution to reducing global emissions will make any difference.

dismayed landlord

11:55 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

and there I was wondering why there was so little new amendments coming through for me 'work' on, to look after my investments and pay out for on, the remaining just over 50% of the portfolio, that I did not manage to vacated before the possession restrictions were applied. Good, now I feel like a business again and can stop relaxing in the sun as my investments keep pouring in my ridiculous amount of financial returns.

CazT

11:58 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

How does this apply in the case of non-standard construction property? I have one that is not brick-built and has a flat roof! How on earth can that be improved? I give up........

Dylan Morris

12:05 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

Doesn’t apply to council and housing association properties then ?

Dennis Forrest

12:09 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by David at 01/10/2020 - 11:21
Agree entirely. 3 countries China, USA and India between them produce 50% of the world's emissions. From a value for money point of view to reduce the world's emission it would make more sense for the UK government to give money to China to spend on energy saving measures. Potential there to make a huge reduction in emissions much greater than the 1% emissions from the UK.

dismayed landlord

12:09 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

reply to Dylan, Nor your own house. Anyone know just what % of the RPS it does effect? Admittedly to get to a C that is 60 % one of mine but all have new boilers, double glazing etc . I blame the tenants fitting the wrong light bulbs.

Blodwyn

12:18 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

Another straw to break the camel's back and just to keep some non-productive civil servant employed? It's the sort of nonsense we put up with in the insurance world, some underemployed 'senior manager' invented an 'initiative' (dreaded word!) to keep others running around whilst he (basked in glory at 'getting things done', usually non-productive!

Dr Rosalind Beck

12:18 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

I've got a feeling this would apply to England and Wales, but there is only (partial) funding for England with the so-called green grants. Obviously it's crazy to think our housing stock can magically come up to these standards.

Freda Blogs

12:19 PM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago

This is an excellent initiative by the government, with impeccable timing - at the very time when many landlords are hurting from providing ongoing financial support to their tenants, receive no government financial support themselves whatsoever and are unable to recover possession of their properties for many months hence.

Of course we all have plenty of money sitting around to update our properties to what, in some cases, will be an impossible target of a C rating. Naturally, we are happy to do our bit making our properties cheaper to run for our tenants’ benefit. We’ll also lead the way on reducing carbon emissions whilst owner occupiers and the social rented sector are not under the same obligations. And of course we will willingly submit ourselves to a fine of up to £30,000.

As final nails in the coffin go, this is a good one. Good night PRS.

I don’t think I can even be bothered to respond to the consultation - did the government listen to Landlords' views in the S21 consultation?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now