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

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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.


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Comments

Dennis Forrest

13:41 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Windsor Woman at 02/10/2020 - 09:35
The skirtings and any coving need to be removed, before applying insulated foil backed plasterboard. The foil backing is a vapour barrier to stop water/damp building up behind the insulation. The skirting could be reused but easier, quicker and cheaper in labour charges to replace with new skirting. The coving will need to be replaced. You don't have to do the whole house in one day, one or two rooms at a time could be completed including re-painting before moving on to the next rooms. Hopefully government grants might be available.

Beaver

14:23 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 02/10/2020 - 09:30
I don't get why the Social Sector will not be subject to the C rating.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

14:32 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2020 - 14:23
Because it will be too expensive and would wipe off whatever is still left of social housing. Killing PRS is one of the main goals of Boris The Landlord Friend and his cronies. Someone will have to make money of the PRS bankruptcy. 30,000 penalty! This is much worse than the genius Osborne will go...
I wonder whether anyone here who voted for Tories did expect Corbynov's policies being implemented so robustly... I think Tories are now going even further...

Old Mrs Landlord

14:52 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Julie Ford at 02/10/2020 - 10:06Affected. If you comment on spelling it's best to get your own correct!

Old Mrs Landlord

16:02 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2020 - 14:23
The consultation document says that a "transformational £3.8bn Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund" will be estblished to improve the energy efficiency performance of social housing.

Old Mrs Landlord

16:18 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 02/10/2020 - 16:02
I was also surprised to read the consultation document claim that twice as many PRS households are in fuel poverty as social housing households - 18% cf. 9%.

Beaver

16:26 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 02/10/2020 - 16:02
OK....so if that's true there's no reason not to include social housing is there?

Jireh Homes

19:53 PM, 2nd October 2020, About 4 years ago

The proposals for min. Band C by 2025 will bring England & Wales in line with the same timescale proposed in Scotland, which had it not been for COVID would have been enacted before now. Main difference is Scotland has the interim Band D effective 2022 and we have yet to see the challenges of compliance given the large proportion of housing stock constructed from stone.

Our cost cap is £5000 per band, which aligns with the proposed £10,000 in stepping up to Band C in the one go.

Lots of other "catches" in this proposal on compliance with PRS regulations which if enacted will give LA sweeping powers, so worth responding to the consultation as more chance of getting voice heard than posting on portals.

MoodyMolls

8:03 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Since I have been wrapping up my properties in insulation I have had much more black mould/ condensation. Mainly the older properties but not all.

Tenants don't open trickle vents and tape fans.
Black mould is one of the top areas the parasite lawyers go after.

Ken

8:50 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Ah well, a few more homeless I guess. I wonder if it will apply to LA and HA homes, I doubt it be an exemption for sure.

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