Government consultation to increase minimum EPC rating to band C for PRS

Government consultation to increase minimum EPC rating to band C for PRS

10:46 AM, 1st October 2020, About 4 years ago 100

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The Government has just released a new consultation proposing to amend the energy efficiency regulations for the PRS in England and Whales and raise the minimum EPC rating for rented property to band C.

To download the consultation document click here

The consultation proposal would also allow Councils to impose a fine on landlords of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.

This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposal to amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (from now on referred to as “the PRS Regulations”). The proposed amendments would significantly improve the energy performance of private rented sector homes in the 2020s, in order to:

Deliver significant emission reductions, which will contribute to Carbon Budgets 4 and 5 and support a decarbonisation pathway consistent with our Net Zero 2050 target;

– Decrease bills for low income and vulnerable tenants, in support of the government’s statutory fuel poverty target;

– Increase the quality, value and desirability of landlords’ assets;

– Reduce energy bills for tenants and ensure warmer homes;

– Support investment in high-quality jobs and skills in the domestic retrofit supply chain across England and Wales;

– Provide greater energy security through lower energy demand on the grid and reduced fuel imports.

The detailed proposals for amending the PRS Regulations are set out in Chapter 1 below outlines the preferred policy scenario for improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, comprising four elements:

– Raising the energy performance standard to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) energy efficiency rating (EER) Band C;

– A phased trajectory for achieving the improvements for new tenancies from 2025 and all tenancies from 2028;

– Increasing the maximum investment amount, resulting in an average per-property spend of £4,700 under a £10,000 cap

– Introducing a ‘fabric first’ approach to energy performance improvements.

The government strongly encourages responses by the 30th December to be submitted online using the Citizen Space link below as this supports timely and efficient analysis of responses.

Respond online at: beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/energy-efficiency/improving-energy-performance-privately-rented-home

Or Email to: PRStrajectoryConsultation@beis.gov.uk

When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the questions posed, though further comments and evidence are also welcome.


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LaLo

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9:29 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Gentlemen - you're all wrong! It's purely a moneymaking scheme for the government as there's always a minority that will take the chance of not improve to 'C' leaving them open to some nice juicy fines, lovely!

Chris Bradley

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9:41 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by at 02/10/2020 - 04:37
I have new triple glazed windows, new boiler controls etc, and it's still one point of a c, I've placed extra insulation under floors, but epc Man says can't count that as can't see it, so how will he count internal. Insulation as can't see it once it's finished.

dismayed landlord

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9:49 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Yes Chris and I have had that same comment several times on properties which I have been selling.

LaLo

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10:22 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

I've just read on a government site the goal is to have EPC rating C by 2030 - 10 years away, unless this has all changed!

Seething Landlord

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11:03 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 03/10/2020 - 10:22
The proposed changes are what this discussion is all about

Jan Martin

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11:48 AM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 03/10/2020 - 10:22
For new tenancies from 2025.

Seething Landlord

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12:04 PM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by MoodyMolls at 03/10/2020 - 08:03Your experience does not surprise me at all. Older houses in particular have been mutilated by developers in a number of ways which have drastically reduced the ventilation and air circulation that was originally designed into them. Rooms have been subdivided, open fireplaces removed, slightly draughty wooden entrance doors and sliding sash windows replaced with UPVC that allows no passage of air into or out of the building. Lining walls with modern materials obstructs the natural absorption and evaporation of any damp, tenants refuse to use the modern methods of ventilation that have hopefully been incorporated but probably are a poor substitute for what has been removed. They also regard adequate heating as an unaffordable luxury so little wonder that there are problems with condensation and mould.
Every attempt to improve the energy performance by increasing insulation and further eliminating the entry and escape of air will only exacerbate the problem.
The next phase of all this madness will be to require the replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps and guess who will be first in line for this imposition. Surely not the PRS? Watch this space. They are already in this consultation saying that improvements to the fabric of the building should take precedence and hermetically sealed buildings are a prerequisite if heat pumps are to work efficiently.

Mike

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13:00 PM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by MoodyMolls at 03/10/2020 - 08:03Ironically, I had a warm air heating system in a rented house , which blows warm air and circulates it throughout the house, never ever got any black mould, but as soon as I was forced to go for more energy saving options such as a condensing boiler and wet radiators, black mould started to appear of all the places in Living room, bedrooms, bathroom and strangely none whatsoever in the utility room where the tenant has a clothes drying rack, and is always in use with wet clothes drying, and none in kitchen where there is regular cooking.
Thank goodness the warm air unit was never decommissioned entirely , only the gas connection to it was sealed off as the new combi boiler came into commission. By modifying this WAU unit and wiring it up to a humidity sensor may improve things as the air circulating part may kick in and evenly distribute moisture and not build up in corners due to stagnant air circulation which promotes the black mould.
Prior to this new energy saving boiler, never ever had any mould problem.

Many will suggest get a dehumidifier, question is will the tenant run it and can he afford to run it? so what was the use of energy saving boiler if we are now going to run up more electricity bill.

Seething Landlord

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13:44 PM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mike at 03/10/2020 - 13:00
The whole thing is bonkers, no joined up thinking whatsoever in government circles.

Jessie Jones

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16:56 PM, 3rd October 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 02/10/2020 - 09:30
Dylan, discrimination is only unlawful if it relates to one of 9 characteristics, such as race, gender, disability etc under the Equalities Act. Having a rule that applies to PRS but not social housing is not unlawful, and already exists for example the requirement for an EICR
I've just had a quote for external insulation under this new Green Homes Grant for an end terraced property that I make about £1500 profit on per year. The company wanted 18k to do the work, less the 5k Government contribution so would cost me £13k. So I will just about break even after 9 years, assuming no void periods. The only way I can make this pay would be a very substantial uplift in the rent..

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