Liberal Democrats demand tax perks for EPC upgrades

Liberal Democrats demand tax perks for EPC upgrades

0:03 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago 20

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Liberal Democrats are pushing the government for more EPC reforms in the PRS.

The party proposes that all landlords should be allowed to offset their spending on insulation and energy-saving improvements against their income tax.

The party has previously criticised the government for scrapping EPC C targets by 2025 calling it “unforgivable”.

Incentives for landlords

Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, told a Commons debate that green targets need to be set for landlords.

She said: “We Liberal Democrats propose that all landlords should be allowed to offset their spending on insulation and energy-saving improvements against their income tax.

“Only through well-targeted incentives for landlords will we make the difference for tenants who are struggling to pay their bills.”

She added: “If the government disagree with our proposals, I ask them to suggest an alternative. All we have seen so far is that from 2025 landlords will no longer need to meet the energy performance certificate C standard.”

Must engage with landlords

Ms Hobhouse told the debate that landlords have contacted her to say that they cannot afford to upgrade their properties to EPC C standards.

She said that the government must engage with landlords on energy-efficiency standards.

She said: “One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, and 1.6 million children are living in privately rented cold, damp or mouldy homes. Landlords have contacted me saying that they cannot afford to upgrade their properties to energy-efficient standards.

“That, too, is just a bit of education, a bit of knowledge that we must share as a matter of urgency.

She added: “I believe that local councils are best placed to be the trusted sources of that type of information, but the government must see them as partners and people to engage with, and give them the opportunities and resources that they need in order to share the information that is so badly needed in our communities.”

You can watch the Liberal Democrats plan for energy-efficiency targets below.


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Comments

Ross Tulloch

14:31 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 13/11/2023 - 11:30
I can’t remember the specific article I read, but clearly most replacements are replacing something to a higher spec. For instance, a new boiler replacing a 30 year old one. Anyway, all of these are revenue items I believe.a loft extension of course and items like that are capital expenditure

Seething Landlord

15:23 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Ross Tulloch at 13/11/2023 - 14:27
Changing the capital value of the house is not the issue. Like for like replacement or repair is revenue expenditure, improvements are capital expenditure.

I have already pointed out that there is a specific concession from HMRC in relation to replacing single glazing with double glazing.

Installing storage heaters where there was previously no heating system would be capital, a new boiler to modern spec replacing an old boiler would be revenue as it is still doing the same job. Replacing a washing machine with a washer dryer would be part capital but what it would have cost to buy a washing machine could be claimed as revenue.

This is all explained in the HMRC help notes.

Easy rider

16:37 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Why do we allow the PRS to be singled out for EPC upgrades?
If improving energy efficiency is a good thing, it should apply equally to all property, regardless of tenure type.
As we strive for greener energy, the need for energy efficiencies diminishes.
Houses were designed to be able to breathe. Many mould problems are caused by houses being tampered with in the drive for energy efficiency.

homemaker

17:32 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

I am entirely in agreement with her. Expenditure is not just limited to upgrading replacements such as double glazing for single, or composite doors for old wooden doors where you can probably argue the case. The ability to improve thermal efficiency by installing solar panels or air source heat pumps for example are clearly capital improvements that can only be reclaimed on sale against CGT. As most landlords are in for the long haul and need to pay for these improvements from taxed revenue (rather than profit) it makes absolute sense to me to bring forward this relief to revenue calculation rather than capital.

Easy rider

19:12 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

It’s clear that many people simply don’t know the rules around taxation.

I never intend to sell so will never offset any capital improvements against tax.

If I spend 10% of the value of the house on improvements (energy related or not), the rent will rise. Simple.

Adrian Jones

10:16 AM, 14th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 13/11/2023 - 12:14
I have received the following reply from Ms Hobhouse:

" Thank you for reaching out. I am working with my LibDem colleagues for our election manifesto. We have not published any costed details yet. I have to ask you for a bit of your patience".

I have replied saying I am not particularly interested in the costings but would appreciate clarification of how her proposals would differ from the existing tax relief rules.

Seething Landlord

10:55 AM, 14th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 14/11/2023 - 10:16
Do you think they are proposing anything other than what is quoted at the start of the article?:

"The party proposes that all landlords should be allowed to offset their spending on insulation and energy-saving improvements against their income tax."

If not, I fail to understand why you can't see the difference. What else do you expect her to say?

Adrian Jones

13:06 PM, 14th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 14/11/2023 - 10:55
If it's that clear why didn't she say so in her reply to me
I'll let you know if/when she comes up with a full explanation of her proposal.

Seething Landlord

13:18 PM, 14th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Adrian Jones at 14/11/2023 - 13:06
You might have a long wait but the implication of your question is that you cannot see anything in her proposals that would indicate a change from the status quo. Is that your view?

Adrian Jones

13:58 PM, 14th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 14/11/2023 - 13:18
In fairness she responded to my original question very quickly.

I'm waiting for her to answer a straightforward question ie how does her proposal differ from what is already in place.

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