It is vital that landlords make sure that thei rental property is energy efficient, and that they offer the best standard of home to tenants.

Landlords have a lot of rules and regulations to consider, and it is no surprise that some landlords feel overwhelmed at times. One big change that came into effect in April of 2018 was the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. For new tenancies, rental property must hold an EPC rating of at least an E rating and by April of 2020, all domestic lettings must hold an EPC rating of at least an E. This will apply to all existing rental property.

Therefore, even if landlords aren’t affected by the new regulations right now, they will be affected by this regulation in just over a year. Some properties are eligible for an exemption but if this isn’t the case, landlords could face a fine of up to £4,000 if their rental property fails to meet the minimum grade.

There are reasons why landlords should improve the energy efficiency of their property

With the certificate lasting for a period of ten years, unless extensive renovation work has been carried out, landlords should have a long time period between certification if they so desire. If a landlord carries out energy efficiency improvements that they believe increase the energy efficiency rating, they are allowed to obtain a new certificate on a voluntary basis.

It could be argued that the greater the energy efficiency rating of a property, the more a landlord can charge in rental fees. A more environmentally friendly home will reduce the cost of energy bills and increase the value of a property, so there are positive reasons for landlords to carry out this work, and the tenant can benefit too.

While each property will be evaluated on its own merits, the most common areas where homes are improved with respect to energy efficiency are:

• The introduction of cavity wall insulation to the home
• The use of low energy lighting around the home
• The introduction of thermostatic valves on radiators
• Insulating the loft
• Installing double glazing windows

Landlords should be aware of changes to the way improvements are paid for

The fact that there is a range of options for landlords to consider in improving the energy efficiency of a property should ensure that there is an option for all homes, and all budgets. Initially, landlords were provided with funding to cover the cost of energy improvements and if affordable improvements couldn’t be made, a home was considered exempt from the ruling.

However, this is no longer the case. Landlords are now required to pay up to £3,500 of any energy efficiency improvements around the home. With the regulations coming into effect for all rental property as of April 2020, it is vital that landlords are aware of the potential costs in ensuring their property fully complies with MEES regulations.

If you are a landlord looking for assistance in managing your property, Ariston Property is here to help. We know that many landlords feel overwhelmed with the number of regulations they have to deal with, including EPC regulations. No matter what you need assistance with, get in touch and we will be more than happy to help.