Labour confirms its EPC plan for landlords – Propertymark calls for ‘incentives’

Reply to the comment left by Countrygirl at 07/08/2024 - 14:55
I think that you are running into the same problem that we are all running into which is that in its current form the EPC system is b******s

I get the idea that if you wanted to buy a property or rent one, a reliable assessment that told you whether the property was cheap to run, or perhaps not heavily dependent upon non-renewables is potentially useful. In reality the EPC system doesn't do this. It seems to me if the government decreed tenants could rent a property from any band but the EPC system was modified to be meaningful then band D or E properties would rent for slightly less on a like-for-like basis than C, B or A properties. The market would sort the problem out if the system actually worked.

It just seems a nonsense that you've put photovoltaics on and the current announcement would mean that you wouldn't be able to let it.

Reply to the comment left by John at 07/08/2024 - 10:17
It doesn't but Labour aren't bothered obviously BUT don't worry about it as they won't be in government come 2030. These epc's are meaningless and will probably be superceded with something else anyway .

Reply to the comment left by PH at 07/08/2024 - 15:55
But which party will replace Labour ?

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 07/08/2024 - 15:59
Probably the Conservatories who had scrapped the need to reach the c grade as they finally saw sense. They weren't going to ban section 21 either until the courts sorted themselves out. I say Conservatories only based on the fact that the country it seems is very reluctant to vote in anyone but the cons & liebor.

Reply to the comment left by PH at 07/08/2024 - 16:07
Yes it’s a two party system unfortunately.

You can do all the EPC improvements you want . But if tenants won't turn on heating or ventilate the property . What can a landlord do

My tenant used to say how cheap it was to heat the two bed mid terrace about £15 a week.

When energy prices went up she complained how crap the house was and it was costing her a fortune.

I asked was she still using the same energy . The answer was yes it just cost a lot more

For tax efficiency, I will be seeking advice on scope for rollover relief to swap my houses for shares in a sewage farm, if any are available, because that's about as inspiring as my prospects feel under the stewardship of this "party of business".

Reply to the comment left by Neil Robb at 07/08/2024 - 17:19
Always the LL fault.

I guess the EPC C is now back on the table, I'm going to have a couple of very upset tenants before 2030.
I have always done every reasonable upgrade to get the EPC as high as possible and save the tenant money when I buy a house.
I refuse to spend 2 - 3 years rent on bringing it to a C, especially when it's not even tax deductible.
14K may not be too much to pay fora luxury house in London, but up North, its 3 years rental income.
The overpaid idiots in the government will never be able understand this until it's too late. 14k is barely a dent in their expense claim.
Eventually, I will sell the houses, with or without tenants.
If bought by a first time buyer, the EPC's will not be upgraded and the only thing the government will achieve is getting rid of more rental houses.
If the last 14 years of the Conservatives screwing us wasn't bad enough, I'm really dreading what is coming in the next 4 years.

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 07/08/2024 - 09:48
Don't you believe it. They're going to screw up the economy big time, but on 2029, they'll lower the voting age to stay in power.