Posts with tag: EPC

NIA and NLA join forces to assist with energy efficiency regulations

Published On: March 16, 2017 at 10:20 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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The National Landlords Association and the National Insulation Association have joined forces to give landlords a simple online facility in order to source local insulation installers.

This is an initiative to ensure that all landlords meet new energy efficiency standards, coming into force next April.

Efficiency Standards

The 2015 Energy Efficiency Regulations moved to set out minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales. These regulations make it unlawful for landlords to let out properties on a new lease that have an EPC rating below E from April 1st 2018. This is unless the property is registered as an exemption.

Landlords must make sure that they plan sufficiently to mitigate the impact of the new regulation. Those with properties with an EPC below an E rating should take action now to avoid falling foul of the law.

Neil Marshall, chief executive of the National Insulation Association, said: ‘Our partnership with the NLA will provide a timely service to help private landlords to meet the new energy efficiency standards. Landlords can contact local NIA installer members via the NLA or NIA websites to arrange a survey and quotation.’[1]

NIA and NLA join forces to assist with energy efficiency regulations

NIA and NLA join forces to assist with energy efficiency regulations

‘They can be safe in the knowledge that NIA installers will have met stringent criteria and sign up to the NIA’s Code of Professional Practice providing added assurance and recourse,’ he added.[1]

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the National Landlords Association, noted: ‘It’s important that landlords have access to the most trusted and reliable of local specialists, particularly when it comes to insulation and we hope that this online service will enable landlords to meet their obligations by making their properties more energy efficient.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/3/nla-and-nia-join-forces-to-help-landlords-meet-new-regulations

 

17% of UK rental properties could be unfit by 2018

Published On: February 15, 2017 at 10:15 am

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17% of properties on the private rental market could become unrentable by 2018, should Government plans for new legislation go ahead.

New research from Urban.co.uk suggests that the Energy Efficiency Regulations passed in 2015 could lead to a number of properties being unfit. This is a concern given the existing supply/demand imbalance.

Energy Efficiency Regulations

The 2015 Energy Efficiency Regulations set out minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales. The legislation makes it unlawful for landlords to offer a new tenancy agreement on properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below E from the 1st April.

Urban’s Landlord Knowledge Survey Report questioned around 4,000 UK landlords on a number of issues relating to the UK market. It suggests that many current private landlords are unaware that a large chunk of homes available in the rental market are currently below the minimum energy efficiency standards proposed.

Adam Male, co-founder of Urban.co.uk, said: ‘One reason to explain the lack of industry knowledge could be due to the recent influx in new regulations, which have flooded the rental market. With landlords facing more changes than ever over the past couple of years, it is no surprise that many find it tricky to keep up-unfortunately that’s no defence should it all go disastrously wrong.’[1]

17% of UK rental properties could be unfit by 2018

17% of UK rental properties could be unfit by 2018

Planning

Planning and preparation will be needed in order to mitigate the impact of the new legislation. Landlords are being urged to act now to make sure their properties come up to at least an E standard.

Danny Luke, managing director at Quick Move Now, observed: ‘It is commendable that the government is keen to improve the quality of rental property, but for the proposed new legislation to be workable, a great deal of thought will need to go into how landlords can be supported to make the necessary changes. This is especially true in light of the government’s decision to stop funding Green Deal improvements.’[1]

‘If significant energy efficiency improvement work is likely to be required, landlords will need support if we want to ensure a vibrant and efficient private rental market in the coming years,’ Luke added.[1]

[1] www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/2/almost-17-of-homes-could-become-unrentable-by-2018