Landlords say government’s EPC C target by 2030 is ‘impossible’

Landlords say government’s EPC C target by 2030 is ‘impossible’

9:32 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago 42

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As the UK government pushes ahead with its plan to require all rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2030, a growing number of landlords are sounding the alarm.

According to a survey by Landwood Group, a staggering 95% of respondents believe the target is impossible to meet.

And, it says, it is seeing a surge in landlords wanting to auction their properties – these include single homes and large portfolios.

The firm of national chartered surveyors and auctioneers warns that the energy performance certificate proposals are unrealistic but could also damage the private rented sector (PRS).

With some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, the UK’s landlords face significant challenges in upgrading their properties to meet the new standard.

‘So-called ‘green’ initiative’

Mark Bailey, a partner at Landwood Group, said: “This so-called ‘green’ initiative might look good on paper, but it’s built on shaky foundations.

“The focus on improving modern social housing, overlooks the vast majority of Britain’s private rental properties which are ageing and would require significant, costly upgrades to meet the EPC C standard.”

He adds: “For many, achieving this rating is not just challenging; it’s nearly impossible without substantial financial investment.

“Previously, government subsidies helped with upgrades like heat pumps and insulation.

“Now, landlords have little choice but to sell or raise rents to cover these high costs.”

Landlords are forced out of the market

Mr Baily continued: “The consequences for renters are clear. As landlords are forced out of the market, tenants will face fewer housing options and higher rental prices.

“Energy efficiency is certainly important, especially in light of rising energy costs.

“But what use is energy efficiency if people can’t afford a place to live?”

He adds: “The government needs to address the housing crisis before imposing such stringent requirements.

“As it stands, this policy risks doing more harm than good.”


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Cider Drinker

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7:56 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

There are three main issues here.

Firstly, why is it only the private rental sector that needs to meet a minimum EPC Rating C by 2030?

I heard Caroline Flint saying yesterday that private tenants live in the least efficient homes. She claimed that landlords were not willing to make the required changes to their properties.

This may be true but there’s more to it than that. Landlords own significantly more older properties than councils or social housing providers. Older properties are more expensive to make energy efficient and in many cases, the ‘improvements’ cause the property to be more susceptible to damp and mould.

The cost to improve these older properties is much higher than the average cost. No big deal on houses in London where rents are high but in the north of the country, spending £10k on a property valued at £70k with a rent of £500 is unreasonable. The cost of the improvements (and subsequent rent increase) outweighs the potential savings.

Secondly, does the U.K. have the materials and manpower to make all private rental properties meet the new standard? Or will we have cowboy companies profiteering from the rush to comply?

Thirdly, as the country drives towards net zero, why does it matter? If our green energy is being produced by Labour’s Great British Energy initiative, surely that’s every bit as good as me fitting solar PV to my rental properties.

John MacAlevey

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9:44 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

China & India are happily doing the exact opposite to net zero..2.3billion all aspiring to have what the west has had for 70 years. It`s futile for the UK to pursue this course, it`s purely political window dressing.

Dylan Morris

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9:58 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 29/08/2024 - 09:44
China and India know that the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere is 0.04% and it’s all a load of bol@#cks .

Dylan Morris

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10:03 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 29/08/2024 - 07:56“I heard Caroline Flint saying yesterday that private tenants live in the least efficient homes”. So therefore according to Ms Flint, Council properties are more efficient than PRS homes, so why not apply the minimum EPC rating of C to Council properties ? Should be just a formality with only a small amount of work needed on the few that aren’t already at this standard.

Cider Drinker

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10:18 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 29/08/2024 - 10:03
Exactly.

It is true that private rentals have a disproportionate number of low energy efficiency ratings. It isn’t because landlords spent want their properties to be improved; it’s because it is more expensive or impossible.

roger radford

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10:35 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Cowboy companies will proliferate. We’ll spend thousands on ensuring we’ll have our flats full of mould and damp, and, last but not least, the EPC computer will still say no. It can only end in tears.

Cider Drinker

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10:37 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 29/08/2024 - 10:18
* spent should say don’t

Jason

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10:41 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

I gave up paying attention to this years ago. Not burying head in sand just know it’s political nonsense.

Neil P

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11:02 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

The bit that really gets me is that these EPC rules will only apply to the PRS. Why not social housing? Surely this is victimisation of landlords in a blatant form (again)? How can that be right? Where is the NRLA who they should be fighting our corner?

Cider Drinker

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11:11 AM, 29th August 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 29/08/2024 - 09:44
It’s not about saving the planet. It’s about having enough energy in the U.K. to accommodate an exploding population.

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