16:45 PM, 23rd September 2024, About 3 months ago 92
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Ed Miliband is willing to risk a fight with landlords to meet EPC C targets, according to The Times.
In a speech at the Labour party conference, Ed Miliband says landlords must provide decent standards for private rented homes including reaching EPC C targets by 2030.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced that it will soon hold a consultation on proposals aimed at helping landlords meet EPC C targets for private and social rented homes.
The energy secretary told the Labour party conference: “We all know that the poorest people in our country often live in cold, draughty homes, many rent from private landlords whose properties are below decent standards.
“That is a Tory legacy and scandal. This government will not tolerate this injustice and we will end it. Decent energy standards for private rented homes that will mean warmer homes and lower bills for renters.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has now confirmed, a consultation is expected later this year, which is expected to include a cap on the amount landlords will have to spend on energy-efficiency upgrades.
This was set at £10,000 under previous plans by the Conservative government and Mr Miliband is expected to stick with a similar figure.
The government has also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, and confirmed the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to support social housing providers and tenants.
The Times reports Labour sources are willing to risk a battle with landlords to reach their green goals.
Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says more detail is needed on how the government will help landlords meet energy-efficiency targets.
He said: “The NRLA wants to see all rented properties become as energy efficient as possible. However, the government’s approach must involve a clear and comprehensive plan which recognises that the sector has some of the oldest, and hardest to improve, properties in the UK’s housing stock.
“The sector needs a clear trajectory setting out what will be expected of it and by when. This plan must also ensure sufficient numbers of tradespeople are in place to undertake the work that will be required.
“Alongside this, as the Committee on Fuel Poverty has warned, is the need for a financial package to support investment in energy efficiency measures. At present, the private rented sector is the only housing tenure without a bespoke package to support work to upgrade homes.”
Reacting to the news, Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said “The commitment to raise minimum energy efficiency standards in privately rented homes to EPC Band C is welcome, but must happen as soon as possible. This is a no-brainer to lift tenants out of poverty, improve our health, and address climate change all at once. One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, and we cannot face another six winters in cold homes.
“Any consultation must keep tenant concerns at the centre of this change, and home improvements should be paid for in grants that already exist for households at risk of fuel poverty. Renters must be protected from eviction and exploitation when grants received in our name improve the value of our landlords’ assets, while the government needs to be prepared to get tough with non-compliant landlords.”
A spokesperson for the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said: “For many rural homes, often historic or off the grid, these targets range from unrealistic to physically unachievable.
“Landlords could be forced to spend £10,000 with no guarantee of improving energy efficiency, but the real burden will fall on rural communities.
“While we agree that practical solutions to help make homes warmer are to be encouraged, the proposed approach is blunt, regressive and will not work.
“Our recent findings show that concerns around changes to energy efficiency standards are driving landlords to sell or repurpose properties, worsening the rural housing crisis. We need to cut emissions, but the government must work with landlords on realistic solutions.”
GARY RIVETT
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Sign Up16:59 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2024 - 16:53It may be worth trying at least. They can only say no, and you may well get some insulation for free. As I said, one of my properties is housing a retired gent who was gifted roof insulation and better heating controls, he is not on benefits, and the other property is rented to a business, who also were granted the same, so it definitely saved me a few quid. Doesn't hurt to try. We are all going to get shafted soon so get what you can, while you can, it can only help for both you and your tenants.
Beaver
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Sign Up17:07 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GARY RIVETT at 02/10/2024 - 16:59
I'll keep an open mind about it. I can see that if you'd been in receipt of a grant linked to a particular tenant then you'd be inclined to hold the rent for that particular tenant: I'd feel the same if I'd got one. I'd probably raise the rent for the next tenant that came in.
Otherwise, if I improved a property then comparing like-for-like e.g. 3 bed semi for 3 bed semi, I'd expect to get a higher rent for a Band A or C property than a Band D property.
GARY RIVETT
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Sign Up17:12 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2024 - 17:07Well, I didn't say that I wouldn't raise the rent, I just said that I wouldn't raise the rent because of the upgrades.
We have to keep up with inflation and other costs that are imposed on us or we go under, it's as simple as that, I wish to stay in the game, so I will do what is needed to keep my business, I will of course be compelled to raise rents if the Govt imposes more costs on me.
Mick Roberts
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Sign Up17:40 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 02/10/2024 - 16:29
Glan,
I always get the grant people ring me & as u know, last 18 months they disappear as Ofgem constantly change the rules with Govt changing the rules.
I had loads assessed about 4 months ago & the assessors have disappeared again.
Has the grants changed again? As I'm always first to know, although since I had Internal Wall insulation fitted last year & internal cupboard gone mouldy this year, I'm not keen again.
Beaver
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Sign Up17:47 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GARY RIVETT at 02/10/2024 - 17:12
Government rent controls drives rent up anyway. The effect of the SNP rent controls in Scotland was that rents for new lets rocketed and that was predictable. We all want long-term tenants so if a good tenant who looks after your property, gets on with the neighbours and pays regularly helps you get a grant then for sure you'll want to keep the tenant. But as soon as the tenant goes then in an environment of rent controls the only smart thing to do is to raise the rent now because you may not be able to do it later. And band A will rent for higher than band D.
But if the government says you can't rent out band D, E or F then that restricts choice and each time that you advertise a new let it's going to be aiming a a higher market rent that was driven up by a government that either did not understand what it was doing, or didn't care.
NewYorkie
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Sign Up17:56 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2024 - 13:30
Many landlords rents are some way below market. My partner has been letting to a friend at mates rates to help her after her divorce. But the next review will be at market, and that's £500pm more. Extreme situation, but there are lots of tenants who would face monthly increases of £200 if landlords strictly interpreted the law.
GARY RIVETT
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Sign Up18:08 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 02/10/2024 - 17:47
Indeed!
GARY RIVETT
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Sign Up18:13 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 02/10/2024 - 17:56
Yeah!, I understand the sentiment, but I smell trouble ahead. Unfortunately.
Due to the problems we face as LLs, I would get everything in writing, as friends can sometimes become enemies when there is a cross with business, and this does not sound as though it will end well.
Maybe I'm just being a pessimist!
GlanACC
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Sign Up18:43 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
The problem comes when a tenant wants to leave. If the property is a D or an E then you don't really have to do anything while the tenant is in situ as the tenant can write a letter refusing the work to be done (valid for 5 years). However when the tenant leaves you will have to upgrade the property to a C before you can let it again - and at that point sell it if it isn't economically viable.
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up20:29 PM, 2nd October 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 02/10/2024 - 13:29
an EPC is needed regardless if a gas meter is present or not if you rent/intend to rent (unless an exemption is gained ) or am I misreading your post?