Gove calls for EPC upgrade delay for landlords

Gove calls for EPC upgrade delay for landlords

9:47 AM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago 44

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The Housing Secretary Michael Gove says the Government is ‘asking too much too quickly’ of landlords to comply with EPC measures by a proposed date of 2028, he told the Daily Telegraph.

Pointing to protests in Holland over tighter emissions regulations, Mr Gove says the ‘inflexible’ application of rules to reduce pollution will lead ‘to a backlash’.

And he says that the financial pressures facing landlords to upgrade properties to meet an EPC rating of C in the next few years mean ‘we should relax the pace’.

‘We’re asking too much too quickly’

In the interview, he said: “My own strong view is that we’re asking too much too quickly.

“We do want to move towards greater energy efficiency, but just at this point, when landlords face so much, I think that we should relax the pace that’s been set for people in the private rented sector, particularly because many of them are currently facing a big capital outlay in order to improve that efficiency.”

The move follows the drubbing last week of the Conservatives in two by-elections – and a close call in Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

And former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith also says a rethink of net zero ambitions need rethinking.

Confirm a deadline for EPC upgrades

In response, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says the Government needs to confirm a deadline for EPC upgrades so landlords can prepare and budget for the work.

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “It is over two years since the Government completed its consultation on energy efficiency standards in rented homes.

“As a result of the delay in responding to this, there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines, as we told the Minister earlier this month.”

He added: “The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.

“Ministers need to develop a proper plan that includes a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.

“We will continue to work with all parties to develop pragmatic and workable proposals.”


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Comments

GlanACC

15:38 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 24/07/2023 - 15:20
Yes Mick, but there is a limit - if I have to spend £10K each getting my 2 EPC E all electric properties upgraded then I might have to reconsider and sell them. There is looking after my tenants ... and looking after me.

Reluctant Landlord

15:55 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Denise G at 24/07/2023 - 10:40
that's all that is ever needed...but that involves making a commitment and they will be trying to avoid nailing their flag to the mast...as that risks not only loosing face...but a massive fall in votes.

If they anticipate loosing the GE then they will prefer to not rule out getting back in the following term.

Ian Narbeth

16:03 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

This is good news, partly. It does not address several problems including:
1. Some houses cannot be upgraded without getting vacant possession. That may mean evicting tenants. Once section 21 is abolished, getting vacant possession will not be easy;

2 Some properties cannot be brought up to a C rating economically. Compelling landlords to spend £10,000 (or whatever the minimum figure is to be) will drive some to sell up. It may also be the case that the more difficult to upgrade properties are best worked on when empty so expect landlords to evict tenants - see 1 above.

Rod

16:41 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

iHowz welcome the update confirming the delay on likely government implementation of updated EPC requirements for the PRS.

Although the delay will be viewed as a common sense decision at a time when cost of living and finance costs are major concerns for the sector, iHowz will be pushing the government to publish their plans, as the lack of any clear plans does nothing to resolve the uncertainty regarding what will be required.

Without the new SAP methodology and MEES requirement, landlords remain reluctant to make improvements, fearing that the works could prove inappropriate (to secure an improved EPC rating) or cost caps may exclude previous expenditure.

In the meantime, the government seems happy to rely on LADS and ECO4 with their focus on properties with tenants on benefits to bring up EPC standards in the PRS

Reluctant Landlord

16:44 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 24/07/2023 - 16:03and am I right in thinking even if the landlord may have the legal right to evict (putting aside the 'how' part), there is no actual legal obligation for him to do so.
While there may be a reason for him to evict (work cant be carried out with tenant in situ) if the tenant stays put then this is surely the only recourse a LL has is to apply adhere with the legislation (whenever it comes in) is to register an exemption.
If for instance the LL did not want to do to work at all (because its too costly/difficult to retrofit/concerns over the work itself/the measure required) then all they need to is keep the rent 'tenant affordable' for the forseeable? (incremental increases only).
If the tenant can only really afford the rent as it is/minimal annual increases, then I don't see how raising any standard is in their financial interest if the rent goes up to save them £100 a year in elec bills (for example)....explain this to the tenant and I think you will have them all refusing permission to carry out any work = exemptions = failed government target.

Reluctant Landlord

16:54 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Rod at 24/07/2023 - 16:41
...trouble with that....ECO4 initiatives may mean a better EPC rating now but...

e.g Install a gas boiler now to replace electric heaters - better EPC score (may be even a C)...but after changing the SAP methodology you could score worse off than you were to start with....

Still no real clarity. Do nothing!

GlanACC

17:00 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 24/07/2023 - 16:54
Ah .. but . If your property has an EPC of C now and the tenants DON'T change then even if the methodology of working out the EPC changes you don't need to get a new EPC when it expires.as the EPC is ONLY required when the tenancy changes. As I intend to sell my properties when the tenant moves out then I need not get a new EPC for my C rated properties. Hence, my current EPC C properties could continue for the next 20 years as long as its the same tenant. (assuming Gove or Labour don't change the rules)

Andrew Wilkinson

18:02 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Even now I can’t see that selling low EPC properties is even an option as Lenders and Purchasers alike can see what’s coming down the line and won’t buy anything with a large bill to improve attached.

Mick Roberts

18:45 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Wilkinson at 24/07/2023 - 18:02
Yes, I'd forgot about that. I've had mates been refused mortgages on EPC F's last year. Soon and now it will be the D's

Mick Roberts

18:47 PM, 24th July 2023, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 24/07/2023 - 16:54
Yes DSR,
Too much changing the rules when we've already took the risk and the tenant and agreed the cheap rent etc

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