If you are the owner of one of England's draughtiest homes, take note: it won't be permitted to remain that way. Did you know that if your rental property is discovered to have an energy efficiency rating of F or G, landlords might now face fines of up to £5,000? This is due to a change in the legislation that went into effect in 2020/2021 regarding Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. The UK's private leased sector has 6.3% F and G rated dwellings, making it the largest percentage of non-energy efficient homes in the nation. The government crackdown is an effort to increase the overall energy efficiency of buildings in this sector.
What is an EPC certificate?
EPC certifications are records that provide details about a building’s energy use and efficiency over time. They are produced by qualified assessors utilising information gathered through firsthand measurements after they have examined the property that falls within their purview.
The outcomes are presented in many areas, with rankings based on how well or inadequately the home uses its energy resources. These ratings are then combined to provide a final grade that runs from A to G. (with A being the most efficient).
You must make sure that you have installed environmentally friendly appliances, such as condensing boilers for your hot water and heating systems, in order to receive this grade. Although these appliances cost more up front than conventional boilers, you will end up paying less overall since they use less energy.
How many properties are potentially affected?
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) estimates that in 2019, landlords had to spend an average of £1,200 to upgrade 290,000 rental homes with an F- or G- rating before they could list them for new leases. This was around 6% of the whole domestic market, which is a significant decline from the mid-1990s and a modest decline from a few years ago. The proportion of privately leased properties with the poorest energy efficiency ratings of F- or G- has decreased from 39% in 1996 to 7% in 2016, according to RLA Policy Director David Smith.
The benefits of renting an energy-efficient property
You have undoubtedly heard about the advantages of renting an energy-efficient house while you are looking for a place to reside. Renting a home or apartment with eco-friendly technology is advantageous for you, the planet, and your bank account. Energy-efficient houses are less expensive to heat and cool, giving you more money for other expenses.
By lowering greenhouse gas emissions into the air, which are connected to global warming, they also contribute to environmental protection in the long run. Future generations will profit from your decision to rent an energy-efficient home as well as you.
It is important to remember that EPCs are not just about energy efficiency; other elements like ventilation and condensation also affect your rating. However, there’s no reason why you can’t raise your home’s EPC rating given how inexpensive it is to put energy-efficiency measures in place.
