How should landlords prepare for new energy efficiency targets?

Can you hear it? It’s the elephant in the room. The new energy efficiency targets that landlords need to hit by 2025. Previously, they’ve only needed a certificate rating of E. From 2025, that will change to C or higher.

The laws around the changes are a bit unclear with 2025 being the date new tenants should expect their dwelling to be meeting these new energy standards. For those already in rented accommodation, the laws are slightly more relaxed. A tenant, on a long lease, should expect their home to be compliant no later than 2028.

Here is some advice on how to reach those standards and avoid paying a fine of up to £30,000. And we will try to suggest ways of improving the chances of getting that C rating after an assessment.

Boiler efficiency

Given that the housing stock in the UK is generally older than anywhere else in Europe, it may well be that the boilers in these properties may need updating or replacing. The cost varies but it is possible to get one for £600 and an efficient one will save you up to 20 all important energy efficiency points.

 Hot water cylinder jacket

Along the same lines and definitely cost effective, these jackets are available online for around £20 and will save a small fortune on bills as well as contributing five points for the EPC.

Light bulbs

Continuing with the theme of cost-effective changes you can make for your rental property, you may even have made the change to LED bulbs already. They are more expensive but they last much longer – maybe up to 15 times longer than the old bulbs – but they are tremendously energy efficient, using 90% less than the older bulbs.

Loft insulation

In the last 20-30 years, many people have used loft conversions to expand their home and increase the value of their property. In the houses where the loft remains as it was, the recommended level of insulation is 270mm. An insulated property loses up to 25% of its heat through the roof.

Making sure there is proper insulation – whether it’s through a warm or cold roof set-up –

can add up to 20 points when assessing the property for its EPC. With energy bills skyrocketing because of the war in Ukraine, this will be a massive money saver in the short and long term.

Documentation

This one really is the cheapest of the lot. The easiest way to prove you’ve done all the work on the property that needs to be done is to retain the original paperwork that proves it. EPC assessors use software which tracks everything that has been done via paperwork. If the paperwork is not available, it will force the assessor to make assumptions which will not be favourable.

That doesn’t mean keep the receipts when you buy new lightbulbs but for structural work, such as improving the insulation on your house or flat, or details about the new boiler, it doesn’t hurt to hoard.

Read the papers

According to research, while 78% of landlords know about the changes to the EPC law, not many know the details. So, it never hurts to read out commentary.

Here at Progressive Lets, we can help you with any aspect of letting property in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. To find out more, please contact us today.

We have an extensive service for landlords, and offer an Advanced Rent Option, which you can view here.