Landlords cancel EPC plans after government U-turn

Housing accounts for 16% of the UK’s carbon emissions. So, that’s ALL of the U.K. and ALL properties.

How much difference would it make if ONLY the PRS was forced to meet a minimum EPC Rating C? Not much, I think.

The problem is that it costs far more to make the ‘improvements’ than occupants are likely to save in energy.

Most improvements are not carbon neutral (manufacture, delivers, salesmen, fitters etc.,).

The energy saving improvements can damage the property and/or increase mould caused by damp. Houses are supposed to breathe.

Besides, as we towards greener, renewable energy sources, surely the need to use less energy diminishes?

I twigged this EPC upgrade effort would not work over a year ago, not enough technicians, civil servants, materials etc..another HMG wish-list fail. EPC`s are not regarded with much authority in the PRS, it`s just another thing to be aquired by law.

It’s all a load of bo**ocks! See here for an alternative view to the standard propaganda: https://dailysceptic.org/2023/11/26/three-graphs-that-show-there-is-no-climate-crisis/

I cannot understand why the progress towards more energy efficiency in houses cannot be approached in a similar way to the clean air act in the 1950’s. All properties should be required to achieve a set target regardless of who owns or occupies them. A national leaflet drop outlining the requirements and financial assistance available would be a good start.

Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 27/11/2023 – 10:23
I wrote to my MP to point out that it wouldn’t work, it wasn’t wanted and it was unfair on private landlords and their tenants.

It’s importantly, tenants would be evicted if landlords couldn’t afford to comply and the displaced tenants would seek social housing that potentially had a lower EPC Rating than the PRS property they were being evicted from.

I think it went straight over his head (that’s if he read it). The response was typical toeing the Party line nonsense that failed address a single point raised.

We have done nothing to improve EPCs, as they are flawed, but we are taking steps to improve energy efficiency, including making plans and choosing an architect.

The chancellor made full-expensing permanent for some company expenses. This should be extended to all business expenditure, including landlords. This would permit a more rapid decarbonisation of the housing stock. By treating all expenditure as tax-deductible rather than capital, the difficult task of separating capital expenditure would be avoided. A typical landlord pays tax at a marginal rate of 20%. When he sells a property, it is added to the income for that year and taxed at a marginal rate of 28%. This is therefore merely tax deferment and not a loss of tax income.

Also, it would be useful to be able to create a tax-deductible sink fund in the business so that funds could be built up prior to undertaking improvement works without incurring higher-rate tax. At present, all surplus funds create a tax liability, even if intended for energy improvement works, thus delaying the work.

It might be a lot of old b**llocks but energy costs are still going up, recently announced. I have had installed a heatpump with solar for electricity, plus a battery back up(in March). My costs since that time is about 20% . 6 tenanted, Victorian semi, solid brick etc. Now started another installation. B**llocks???

Reply to the comment left by John Grefe at 27/11/2023 – 14:35
Yes, I was referring to the “climate crisis” rather than the price of energy. No “climate crisis” = no justification for jacking up energy prices. That would not suit some!

Reply to the comment left by Grumpy Old Git at 27/11/2023 – 10:45
I am very happy whem people speak the actual truth. When will everyone else realise this is a massive scam.

Reply to the comment left by Karen Dodd at 27/11/2023 – 16:26
When they see though the massive propaganda campaign and realise they have been brainwashed. Trouble is, it is easier to con people than to get them to admit they fell for it.