{"id":6030052,"date":"2020-03-04T13:15:11","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T13:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buyassociation.co.uk\/?p=6030052"},"modified":"2023-11-09T13:01:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T12:01:10","slug":"landlords-a-month-left-get-homes-new-minimum-epc-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buyassociationgroup.com\/en-gb\/2020\/03\/04\/landlords-a-month-left-get-homes-new-minimum-epc-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Landlords have a month left to get homes to new minimum EPC standards"},"content":{"rendered":"

From April, all buy-to-let properties in England and Wales will need to achieve Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), so landlords need to act now.<\/strong><\/p>\n

All privately rented residential properties will need to achieve grade E or higher in their Energy Performance Certificates<\/a> (EPCs) from the beginning of next month, as MEES will from that point apply to both new and existing tenancies.<\/p>\n

Landlords who own properties that don’t achieve an EPC rating of A to F must complete any necessary upgrade work now, as they have less than a month left to ensure they comply. Those who fail to do so could face prosecution.<\/p>\n

Where work needs to be done to raise the EPC rating, there is a \u00a33,500 cost cap in place. This means that landlords must spend anywhere up to \u00a33,500 (including VAT) on improvements to the energy efficiency<\/a> of each of their rental properties. If, after spending this amount, a property still would not reach the minimum level, the landlord can apply for an exemption on the PRS Register<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to improve your EPC rating<\/h4>\n

The new MEES rules first came into effect in April 2018 for any rental property that started a new tenancy, or a renewed one, after this date. From next month, the rules will begin to apply to all existing, ongoing, periodic and secure tenancies, meaning everyone who owns a rental property<\/a> in the UK must ensure that they comply.<\/p>\n

So for landlords who currently own properties with EPC ratings of F or G, it is essential to now increase the rating before the deadline. Ways to do this include:<\/p>\n

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  1. Top up your loft insulation<\/strong>: a cheap, easy way to add points onto your score.<\/li>\n
  2. Install cavity wall insulation<\/strong>: this could improve your rating by around 5-10 points.<\/li>\n
  3. Upgrade your heating<\/strong>: old boilers are a prime cause of low EPC ratings.<\/li>\n
  4. Insulate your hot water cylinder<\/strong>: not everyone has one, but if you do it can lose heat without insulation.<\/li>\n
  5. Install double glazing<\/strong>: this should make properties much warmer for occupants.<\/li>\n
  6. Seal any open chimneys<\/strong>: again, these can create draught so can make a difference to the EPC.<\/li>\n
  7. Add renewables<\/strong>: solar panels, wind turbines and even ground source heat pumps could be considered.<\/li>\n
  8. Lighting<\/strong>: simple but effective, replacing lightbulbs with energy efficient ones could give your property a boost.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Some EPCs could be wrong<\/h4>\n

    Aside from the above, the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has also pointed out that whether a property has solid walls makes a difference. Some landlords<\/a> whose properties fall below the required standard could have them reassessed. They may find that they now achieve the minimum due to a change in the assessment.<\/p>\n

    On its website, the RLA states: “Research has also identified that energy performance certificates (EPCs) understate the thermal efficiency of solid walls. Many PRS properties have solid walls. Usually they were built pre-1918 but can be later.<\/p>\n

    “The government have now recalibrated EPCs to give a truer reading. This could mean that some solid wall properties currently rated F under an EPC will no longer require any work and less work may be required in the case of a G rated property.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    “Landlords of F and G rated solid wall properties are therefore advised to consider having a new EPC check performed. In these cases, obtaining a new EPC may mean that you no longer need to comply with the regulations or less work may be required.”<\/p>\n

    Exceptions to the rule<\/h4>\n

    Some landlords will be able to declare themselves exempt, although the rules could change on this. Aside from the \u00a33,500 per property cost cap, other reasons for exemption include:<\/p>\n