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

Reply to the comment left by David at 01/10/2020 - 11:21It's nothing to do with global emissions. We all know it's to do with squeezing private housing services out of the market, creating millions in work for installers, and the £30k fines.

Rents will go up naturally, welcome to hyper rent inflation, we should all make our tenants aware that no matter what the EPC rating, they will still pay for it through their nose, quite simply Landlords do not have money printing press, and to spend more on improving epc rating , it's got to come from somewhere further down the chain.

My local council is doing similar thing trying to improve the local air quality by increasing residents parking charges based on car engine size, and they blame 48% resident car owners for higher pollution against 52% who do not own cars and majority of who are tenants, so their argument is why should these 52% people suffer high pollution imposed on them by 48% motorist, so the council decides to increasing parking permits charges to insane amounts based on engine size, similar to road tax bans, again I have to say that in order to pay for ever increasing charges, those who are landlords; the extra money must come from somewhere, in the case of landlords they will need to up the rents, still many councils believe money grows on trees, but we know the biggest secret governments can print as much money as they want, despite of which they still can't make and deliver affordable housing.

One thing for sure, our local pollution levels are not caused by our residents but by traffic passing through our borough from all corners and around us that is contributing to higher pollution levels including the London City Airport, A406, A13, A12, the Blackall Tunnel, Woolwich ferry , marine traffic through river thames, we are victims of stupid council thinktank.

Reply to the comment left by David at 01/10/2020 - 11:21
"our minute contribution to reducing global emissions will make any difference."

Ever heard of the expression "pennies make pounds"?

If every person visiting a beach took a pebble, soon there would be no pebbles left. Which is why it is illegal to remove pebbles from the beaches.

So yes, every contribution to reducing global emissions helps, no matter how small.

What is more important is how the government are going to support the PRS to bring about this change. The recent Green Homes energy efficiency grants will help. So instead of griping about it, change.

Reckon that's us out of the PRS then!
We have 4 properties: 3 have EPCs currently.
2 of them are rated D and the other (our newest property) is not connected to gas and so is rated E. One of the Ds (a Victorian terraced property) would still be a D even with the suggested improvements. If we spend thousands upgrading the electric heating, the E could apparently be rated at C, while the other D (which will become vacant in 10 days time and whose EPC dates from 2019 thus requiring a fresh EPC before we can either relet or sell it) could become a C if we spend a packet on it.
All of the above potentially means that 3 of our 4 will be sold off before 2025 - putting 2 VERY longstanding tenants out on their ears.

The property with no EPC has had the same tenants for years and will not be offered for sale - so I'm guessing if an EPC becomes mandatory even for rentals with sitting tenants, then that one will cost us a pretty penny too.
We actually already need a moment or two to recoup the considerable amounts we've spent so far this year on 4 EICRs and the work that entailed.
I reckon our tough decisions going forward have been made for us - and neither can I be bothered to respond to the consultation. I can't think of any 'evidence' I could provide which would make this bunch of truthtwisters see anything other than what they want to see.

The Government’s objective cannot be met if this minimum EPC of C does not apply to their own social housing properties. Why are these excluded ? Obviously because it will cost an absolute fortune to upgrade them. Should this discrimination go ahead, then we need to get together and start a Class action, going if necessary up to the Supreme Court based upon discrimination of landlords in the PRS and also tenants in the social sector who will not benefit from the new requirements. Why should the social sector get off scot free ? The only way to stop this is to ensure the social sector has to come up to the same standards. Then the Government will back off. They’ll have to. It’s seems to me this is the only way to stop this blatant discrimination. Step forward Mark Smith please. I’ll chip in whatever it takes.

This is all not to mention the corruptive Epc survey systems most of which are inconsistent and full of inaccuracies and flaws.

I have spent thousands in some properties for the new Epc to come back at a 'lower' rating than years ago before the work was done. The surveyor says it's to do with the new 'system' of calculating the rating...Basically anything they like.

Its all theatre!

Reply to the comment left by Smartermind at 01/10/2020 - 12:57
Already I have Mr. Property I rent was surveyed last week, including my own, it will save some money towards heating bills, but may take years to recover what i may have to contribute, I am waiting for quote now. If my contributions are way above my affordability, then I will either have to put the rents up or reject the scheme and get it done myself at a fraction of the coast instead of these agents offering so called inflated special deals and grants.

Now tell me how does imposing higher Residents parking charges lowers the pollution levels? forcing us to go electric, but not everyone can charge a car on a roadside, and if the infra structure was put in then at what cost?

crazy - perfect timing!

Reply to the comment left by Dr Rosalind Beck at 01/10/2020 - 12:18Yes, applies to both England & Wales.
No government funding or Green Deal Grants for home owners in Wales though.. unless of course you are on a means tested benefit or earn less than £16k a year, then you could apply for a new boiler or more loft insulation from the Nest Scheme..
Absolutely nothing available in the way of grants/ funding for reducing energy loss for owners of pre 1920’s properties that have solid walls & a combination of defective blown UPVC windows and a few metal/wood framed single pane windows!!
Homeowners in Scotland & Ireland have access to grants & funding for pretty much everything in the way of making their homes more energy efficient!
The government should give the PRS a break and instead focus their energy (and pot of cash) on the owner occupied properties that are just pouring out wasted energy from every angle possible 🤬

i have some tips for those wanting to improve epc rating.
1. Install fake solar panels on your roof, they look real but are cosmetic in nature. they help by cutting heat losses through your roof as they act as insulator. This should take you from D rating to C. Cost around £5 per square meter, not yet available but I will start marketing them soon.
2. Turn your double glazed windows to Triple glazing, by adding a self adhesive perspex panels , cost £10 per sq meter, 3mm thick clear. This should take you from C rating to B, as it further cuts heat loss
3. Make a wind generator using light weight 10 foot long blade from cladding material, attach a small dc motor to its axis, running off a 12 volt battery, when the energy assessors arrie, switch on the motor and show them that you also generate wind power. This should take you from B to A rated EPC, this helps cut down pollution by blowing away the pollution and dust heading your way.
You can help yourself survive in this harsh anti-landlord environment instead of feeling sorry for yourself, use your innovative skills to fight back.
Once you reach A rating, you can stuff the whole of your loft with insulation wool and get AA rating, if that is not enough, you can achieve AAA rating by installing fake ground based heat pump , I have plenty of other ideas coming up to lower our emissions.
4. 😂