The government’s new regulations for landlords are now in force – but what does this mean for privately rented properties?
For those who rent from private landlords, it means a warmer home that’s cheaper to run.
So, under the new regulations, if a privately rented property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G, the landlord will have to install energy efficiency improvements such as insulation.
From now on, a rented home must achieve an EPC rating of at least E before the landlord can renew the tenancy agreement or re-let the property.
An EPC rates the energy efficiency of a property and shows its environmental impact.
It’s colour banded, and similar to the energy ratings you can see on electrical items such as fridges, washing machines and TVs. Properties range from A-G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least efficient.
Landlords who want to continue to rent out properties that have an EPC rating of F or G will need to carry out energy efficiency improvements to bring these homes up to an E.
Upgrading the property to comply with the new regulations could include anything from installing loft, cavity wall and external wall insulation to new hot water systems, timers and temperature controls and replacement glazing.
The government has issued lengthy guidelines for landlords to ensure rented homes are renovated to professional standards. Installers such as InstaGroup, who are members of accredited trade bodies including the National Insulation Association (NIA), can give added assurance that all the work will be completed as required.
For a short time only, the government is making energy efficiency grants² available to fund or part-fund rented property improvements.
With the landlord’s permission, private tenants can apply through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme for grants that can help pay towards the cost of installing new boilers and insulation.
Private landlords who need to upgrade their properties to meet the new regulations can contact InstaGroup for a no-obligation survey and a quote. We can also advise on applying for any grants available to help pay for the work.
We believe that the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) may be raised above an E in the near future, so landlords can also ask us about how they can achieve a D-rating or above for their properties while grants are still available. Find out more about ECO grants here
The new legislation is good news all round for private landlords and their tenants. Everyone will benefit from renovated, energy efficient homes that save on fuel, reduce heating bills and stay warmer.
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