Landlords warn that energy efficiency plans are ‘dead in the water’

Landlords warn that energy efficiency plans are ‘dead in the water’

0:03 AM, 10th January 2023, About A year ago 55

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Landlords are warning that plans to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the private rented sector (PRS) are ‘dead in the water’ because the Government has failed to respond to a consultation on the issue which closed two years ago.

Originally, a target for all new tenancies in the PRS to have an energy performance rating (EPC) of at least a ‘C’ by 2025 was made by the Government.

It was then proposed that the EPC target be extended to cover all tenancies by 2028.

However, the consultation on the issue closed in January 2021 – with the Government not providing any response to it which has led to uncertainty within the PRS about what is expected.

Dates for improving energy efficiencies

Now the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling on the Government to make clear that the dates for improving energy efficiencies are now ‘unrealistic’.

The organisation is also urging certainty for the market and wants a definitive timetable for the publication of a consultation response – and any proposed legislation.

Among the Government’s proposals was for all landlords to pay up to £10,000 to carry out the necessary improvements to meet the proposed EPC targets.

‘Want to see properties as energy efficient as possible’

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “We all want to see properties as energy efficient as possible.

“However, the Government’s delay in responding to its consultation on energy standards in the private rented sector means its plans are dead in the water.

“The lack of clarity is playing a major part in holding back investment in the homes to rent tenants desperately need.”

He added: “In the interests of certainty, the Government needs to admit what we all know, namely that it has no hope of meeting its proposed energy targets for the rental market.”

Calling for any proposed cap to be linked to the average market rent

The NRLA is calling for any proposed cap on what landlords will pay to be linked to the average market rent for the area in which the rental property stands.

This move would, the NRLA says, see a landlord’s bill being tapered from £5,000 to £10,000 if rental and property values were considered.

Also, NRLA wants a package of financial measures to support a landlord’s investment, and this would include a new tax allowance for landlords who carry out remedial work towards meeting the Government’s Net Zero target.

‘Misguided assumption that landlords have unlimited sums of money’

Mr Beadle said: “The plans, as they currently stand, rely on a misguided assumption that landlords have unlimited sums of money.

“The proposals fail to accept the realities of different property and rental values across the country, and that the private rented sector contains some of the most difficult to retrofit homes.

“Ministers need a smarter approach with a proper financial package if we want to ensure improvements to the rental housing stock.”


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Comments

Seething Landlord

12:16 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Rod at 11/01/2023 - 12:04
They also need to change the robotic, box ticking "computer says no" software to allow assessors to exercise their judgement and common sense. This would probably require a higher level of qualification and cost, but where the issue is fitness to rent, it is a price worth paying.

Julie Devine

13:53 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Christopher Rattew at 10/01/2023 - 10:38
Hi would you be willing to let me know how you use for business energy as I am interested in seeing if this would work for me SA units.

Chris Rattew

14:04 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Julie Devine at 11/01/2023 - 13:53
If you let to a third party, you can use business tariffs. You can phone round the companies twice to get the best deal. It takes a few hours. We chose a 3-year contract. You can make the contract up to a year in advance. It may be difficult to get a good deal at the moment. This means that we are currently paying a third of the amount that would be paid by a new tenant on a domestic tariff. There are price risks up and down, but we always seem to gain. You do have to make a claim to pay 5% VAT and no CCL payment, but this is just paperwork.

Robin Pearce

13:49 PM, 12th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Rod at 11/01/2023 - 12:04
"1. The works you highlight would likely be exempt, as they would not be permitted under most leases."
Even if exempt it might still affect mortgageability as lenders are starting to take the EPC rating into consideration. Which is the same as devaluing the property

Rebecca Elliott

10:08 AM, 13th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Christopher Rattew at 10/01/2023 - 10:38
As a private landlord with three small properties that, after tax, insurance, gas checks, electricity checks, maintenance etc, bring in way less than a minimum wage the idea that I should then also pay the tenants' energy bills for them is absurd. All of my properties are D rated. If the Government wants them to be C, which of course is a good idea, then they need to provide grant assistance or tax relief because I certainly won't be able to afford to do whatever is required if, as will be the case with older properties, it is even possible.

Chris Rattew

10:42 AM, 13th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Rebecca Elliott at 13/01/2023 - 10:08
If Landlords were paying for energy, rents would have to be higher, so there should be no loss on average. There might though be more advantages for Landlords to improve energy systems and tenants would have greater certainty over bills.

Going to C rather than D by 2025 is unrealistic. There is neither the labour nor the finance for this.

There is a case for tax reliefs and grants to help with this.

Robin Pearce

13:25 PM, 13th January 2023, About A year ago

I learned yesterday on a block I own a flat in.
The government will give 100% insulation grants for owner occupiers, but the landlords of rental flats who are required to meet the deadline for EPC value of C, 10 years sooner than owner occupiers, are required to pay a third ! 🤔 🙄

Mick Roberts

7:48 AM, 14th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 10/01/2023 - 10:05
Well said DSR

Bemused

10:44 AM, 14th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 10/01/2023 - 10:55
This is a Democratic society and we’re on a forum. You may be angry when someone clearly is ignorant around a topic, but calling someone ridiculous and telling them to keep their ideas to themself reflects on the perception of landlords. We are capable of explaining and educating people who don’t understand the issues. If the gov took the same attitude then no constructive conversation would take place. The government have clearly not understood the issues and fallen into anti-landlord rhetoric. Grown up dialogue is more important than ever. We need to behave professionally if we want to be seen as professionals. If we behave like children…

Ian Simpson

13:13 PM, 21st January 2023, About A year ago

I have asked this before on this forum and it has never been answered.... :
Even if these EPC Regulations do come in ... HOW WILL THEY BE POLICED...?? The overwhelmed councils won't have the manpower or the time, the police are, well, non-existent, so I am going to COMPLETELY IGNORE any attempts to make me spend thousands on EPC changes!! Bring the ball and chain and lock me up!!

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