Landlords condemned by think tank over energy efficiency

Why are they condemning landlords? What about all other homeowners who are not exactly rushing to improve the energy efficiency of their homes?

Every property I have purchased to rent out, I have refurbished with new windows, new boiler and new insulation, costing me approx £30k each property. So I look for property in need of work otherwise I wouldn't be able to justify the expense. It does mean that the EPC is a C at least, but in 10years time when goalposts are moved will they still be a C? Will I then be able to afford extensive works to upgrade them again? Will I be physically able to manage an upgrade project, where will I house the tenants elsewhere while it's done? Probably will sell around year 7 or 8 of the EPC's validity to avoid the uncertainty and worry, which means my tenants will have to move on (or buy the house of me)

Reply to the comment left by Gone Fishing at 04/04/2023 - 11:41
Due to the fact LL are legislated to meet a rating whereas homeowners are not (yet). Similar to carbon reduction hits big business first then filters down. It is something of a blunt instrument though as I have had LLs who are on top of everything and others who haven't seen a property since they bought it off plot 20 years ago. Prior to buying I pointed out to the LLs agents that every window in the house was blown and the upvc warping. I'm still in touch with the agents as I am expecting it to come on the market soon as I suspect that the 30k someone else mentioned will not cover all of the upgrades needed and that's bargaining room.

There is a basic error in this report as it links energy efficiency and carbon reduction with EPC ratings when we all know that the EPC simply reflects energy costs and according to recent reports overestimates those costs to a significant degree.

Many properties are rated below C because they have electric heating systems, which are more carbon efficient than others that rely on fossil fuels. When the artificial distortion between gas and electricity costs is removed, the EPC rating system made fit for purpose and focused on carbon efficiency as well as energy costs, the problem might well disappear.

The figure seems strange. Every landlord I know has spent more than that. Perhaps the delays and bureaucracy of a government discount scheme would cost more than the discount, so it would not be worth that. We already spent more than these figures changing to economy bulbs (CFL) in 1990. They had an advantage for the landlord of long life, and we have always let bills inclusive.

'Too many British homes have poor energy efficiency, so the people who live in them are poorer and colder than they should be.'

They'll be even poorer when the rent goes up to pay for it

As usual another bash at landlords - I have never been asked if I am willing or not to increase insulation in my houses - very doubtful about figures without any sound evidence to support it - it would also help if the government who are so keen on zero carbon - a wonderful buzz word, new what the heck they are taking about. Politicians at best are ill informed and are otherwise down right liars the whole lot of them. Most of my fellow landlords are to my knowledge quite happy to upgrade to a 'C' but no one has yet told me what that entails - even the so called assessors come up with different ratings for the same property, it seems to be if they are feeling in a good mood or not - my properties regularly move between a 'D' and a 'C' depending who has undertaken the assessment and if there is an 'R' in the month!! Come up with a sensible and reliable method of calculation and most will be happy to comply.

I have seen that EPCs do not represent energy use. Perhaps use energy use per square metre or per person. That would give a more accurate environmental cost and be cheaper to calculate.

I just love the government idea that we can make property more energy efficient by making gas cost more.

I'm still waiting on them to tell me how to insulate a concrete floor with a tenant in situ. Boilers and double glazing done years ago, bit still no enough.

I'm guessing I have to evict (just before s21 is removed) Get the builders in to insulate the floor then get new tenants. Definitely a great plan.

Reply to the comment left by Happy Landlord at 04/04/2023 - 12:39
I agree with you
I have never been asked
Maybe NRLA could ask a few questions in its next survey
1 did you get asked
2 have you declined to invest in rental property to improve energy efficiency
3 have you ever said you would on invest £250.

I wonder what cross section of the PRS were considered and how many were actually asked
Going forwards we should be pushing for all these stats from surveys being quoted by law should have size of sample and what other question were asked. We all know surveys can be designed to prove pretty much anything. The fact that the background to the survey is not disclosed I suspect it was a bias survey. Unless we challenge this statement too many people will believe the statement.
For the record I am prepared to invest to improve the EPC once the database has been updated with recent info