Gove calls for EPC upgrade delay for landlords

Gove calls for EPC upgrade delay for landlords

9:47 AM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago 44

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The Housing Secretary Michael Gove says the Government is ‘asking too much too quickly’ of landlords to comply with EPC measures by a proposed date of 2028, he told the Daily Telegraph.

Pointing to protests in Holland over tighter emissions regulations, Mr Gove says the ‘inflexible’ application of rules to reduce pollution will lead ‘to a backlash’.

And he says that the financial pressures facing landlords to upgrade properties to meet an EPC rating of C in the next few years mean ‘we should relax the pace’.

‘We’re asking too much too quickly’

In the interview, he said: “My own strong view is that we’re asking too much too quickly.

“We do want to move towards greater energy efficiency, but just at this point, when landlords face so much, I think that we should relax the pace that’s been set for people in the private rented sector, particularly because many of them are currently facing a big capital outlay in order to improve that efficiency.”

The move follows the drubbing last week of the Conservatives in two by-elections – and a close call in Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

And former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith also says a rethink of net zero ambitions need rethinking.

Confirm a deadline for EPC upgrades

In response, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says the Government needs to confirm a deadline for EPC upgrades so landlords can prepare and budget for the work.

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “It is over two years since the Government completed its consultation on energy efficiency standards in rented homes.

“As a result of the delay in responding to this, there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines, as we told the Minister earlier this month.”

He added: “The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.

“Ministers need to develop a proper plan that includes a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.

“We will continue to work with all parties to develop pragmatic and workable proposals.”


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Alan

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11:45 AM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 24/07/2023 - 10:25
This is so true. He is after our votes.

Mike231

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11:56 AM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Don't believe a word that the snake oil salesman Grove says, his lot the Torys will be out of power next year Labour will will hit Landlords hard I'm sell up

David Smith

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12:29 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Hicks at 24/07/2023 - 10:45
No doubt that at some point all properties Residential / Commercial will fall into this type of proposed legislation.

GlanACC

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12:58 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by David Smith at 24/07/2023 - 12:29
No doubt, but there isnt enough trained people to update all the residential properties (and wont be for many many years as most people these days dont want to do manual jobs), and there is no money around to upgrade anyway.
I can't understand why the government don't update the building regulations to force builders to install solar panels / batteries where they can as this would be cheaper in new builds.

Mick Roberts

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14:06 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Yes brilliant.

I've got assessor for All Seasons at one of my houses right now. He can do free solar panels, free heat pump, free internal insulation, bathroom fans etc.
But we've all had in the past damp & mould caused by the free cavity wall insulation years ago. Plus tenant said she don't want 100mm losing off her already thin terraced house.

My predicament is If this heat pump with new rads don't work, we in the crap. As several has said on here, heat pumps won't work on old houses. Although this assessor who said he'd been doing it 25 years was confident it would & get it down from an EPC D to a B with no damp/mould.

And then if I don't do now & gal moves (she's asking me for bigger house), I then can't get the free funding. And many Landlords won't want to buy it with an EPC D maybe.

Also, I know this house roof is old-How does that work with solar panels on? Then off for the new roof in 2 years?

It's not straight forward even with £30,000 of work free.

GlanACC

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14:20 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 24/07/2023 - 14:06
I think you have convinced yourself to sell. Probably the best thing and use the money to buy a more modern property or squander it on a new car - I would choose the later

Mick Roberts

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14:26 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/07/2023 - 12:58
Yes, why aren't the new houses being made to be built with Solar Panel roof tiles, batteries etc. like u say. At least going forward, we on the right track as this retrospective attacks on older houses isn't working.

Mick Roberts

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14:29 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/07/2023 - 14:20
Yes would like to sell most of my older houses, but things change. I get people that has known me 30 years begging for houses, got one now 70 years old, I have to give her a house where my tenant going into Sheltered accommodation, otherwise she's homeless.
To make a plan is useless; Planning indispensable.

And already got the new cars, just want time which as u say Convinced to sell. AAAh I don't know what I'm doing ha ha. Govt & Councils force us into all these changes when everything was ticking along.

GlanACC

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15:06 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 24/07/2023 - 14:29
Same here, I have 6 now (sold 12). People desperate. Told them to contact the council. I wont be chucking anyone out (one tenant with me over 20 years) but Gove, Generation Rent and Shelter and even the useless NRLA can go whistle.

Mick Roberts

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15:20 PM, 24th July 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/07/2023 - 15:06
There are many like me & u that's looking after existing ones & only keeping houses for tenants that' lived there 20 years. Govt & Council's don't come & ask us this & assume we desperately want to keep our houses & are charging top whack when many of us charging less than 70% or market rents just cause we can. But we shouldn't, we not a charity nor a Council.

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