Posts with tag: landlords energy efficiency

End of Green Deal Could Leave Landlords with Problems

End of Green Deal Could Leave Landlords with Problems

End of Green Deal Could Leave Landlords with Problems

Taxpayer funding to the Green Deal Finance Company has caused the Green Deal to collapse, causing redundancies and closures of some companies.

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate, Amber Rudd, says low usage of the Green Deal has led to its end.

Existing deals and loans will be upheld, but there will be no new Green Deal loans.

Rudd says that the Government will work with the building industry and consumer groups on a new approach, which will offer better value for money and support the aim of insulating 1m more homes over the next five years.

The breakdown of the Green Deal arrives after criticism that it was confusing, difficult to understand, the loans were expensive and the scheme was constantly changing.

However, its end could leave private landlords with problems if they need to upgrade the energy efficiency of their rental properties.

By 1st April 2018, all rental properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or above.

Additionally, alongside the collapse of the Green Deal, the EU has ruled that full-rate VAT must be charged on energy saving materials and work, such as insulation.

The Landlord Energy Saving Allowance has also been stopped.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is hoping for clarification from the Government as to what support landlords will receive.

Landlords Face Energy Efficiency Improvements

Published On: January 28, 2015 at 11:32 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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Landlords could face financial penalties, and be unable to rent their properties if they do not meet minimum energy efficiency standards that will come into force in 2018.

Law firm Maples Teesdale warned that the new standards reflect a ticking time bomb that could have a huge impact on rental income and property values if they are not addressed.

Landlords Face Energy Efficiency Improvements

Landlords Face Energy Efficiency Improvements

By 1st April 2018, all relevant properties in the non-domestic minimum energy efficiency regulations for England and Wales must be improved to a minimum standard before being let to tenants, unless certain exemptions apply.

Additional tenant energy efficiency improvement regulations will be brought in by 1st April 2016, and mean that renters can request energy efficiency measures to their rental property, which cannot be unreasonably refused by the landlord.

A partner at Maples Teesdale, Neil Sagoo, says: “These regulations are likely to have a big impact on the private rented sector. They are presenting a straightforward ultimatum: bring your properties up to scratch in terms of energy efficiency, or risk losing income.”

For landlords who do not bring their property up to the minimum standard, consequences could be severe. Financial penalties will be applied, potentially involving the rent earned during the landlord’s breach, and possibly a tribunal that could force landlords to make the necessary changes.

Sagoo explains: “This means that landlord’s can no longer pay lip service to energy efficiency. Whereas it was once a worthy aspiration, it is becoming as fundamental as fire safety or building regulations, and is to be ignored at your peril.”1

After a brief consultation at the end of 2014, the Government has suggested that it hopes to have the regulations in place before the general election in May. It is likely that the implementation of the minimum standards will follow in stages, coming into effect on all new lettings from April 2018, and for existing lettings from April 2023.

The consultation document can be found at: http://goo.gl/AcHDEG

1 http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/Landlords-face-ticking-timebomb-of-energy-compliance