Green Deal- energy efficiency- what effect on L?

[Hampton]

I have just come across this and am not absolutely clear how it affects me as a long term landlord.

[JK0]

This is another of Chris Huhne's 'Don't do as I do, do as I say' initiatives. Today's paper says he has claimed £46,000 for taxis and limos for the last six months.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1394058/MPs-expenses-Chris-Huhne-spends-46k-taxis-just-6-months.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[Hampton]

I have had the same tenant in my property now for nearly 10 years and I have just come across Chris Huhne´s Green Deal. I am not sure I really understand it mainly the part where money is spent updating non efficient items etc and how it is paid for. Also my property is over 100 years old with solid stone walls so no cavity wall insulation is possible. Also the boiler could do with replacing etc and new double glazing, new radiators but all of this costs a lot of money which we don´t have and it could mean we actually have to sell the property.

[jeffrey]

The Department of Energy and Climate Change [no, I didn't know that it had 'grown' the last three words either!] has a Green Deal home-page at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/consumers/green_deal/green_deal.aspx This makes clear that, as yet, nothing definitive has been decided; the entire scheme is still just being discussed.

[mind the gap]

I have had the same tenant in my property now for nearly 10 years and I have just come across Chris Huhne´s Green Deal. I am not sure I really understand it mainly the part where money is spent updating non efficient items etc and how it is paid for. Also my property is over 100 years old with solid stone walls so no cavity wall insulation is possible. Also the boiler could do with replacing etc and new double glazing, new radiators but all of this costs a lot of money which we don´t have and it could mean we actually have to sell the property.

My understanding is that
(i) the scheme is still under discussion
(ii) the idea is to improve the rental housing stock as many tenants (who tend to be less wealthy on average) live in the least energy-efficient properties and pay disproportionately large energy bills compared with owner occupiers
(iii) rental properties may have to be brought up to at least an EPC 'E' rating (which to be honest is still very low)
(iv) tenants may be given the right to insist that the LL takes 'reasonable' measures to improve the energy efficiency of the property (they haven't defined 'reasonable' yet, of course!)
(v) grants may be available to the property (via the LL) to help with these costs.

[jeffrey]

Yes; as I posted before, the entire scheme is vague and cost-indefinite so far.

[mind the gap]

I have had the same tenant in my property now for nearly 10 years and I have just come across Chris Huhne´s Green Deal. I am not sure I really understand it mainly the part where money is spent updating non efficient items etc and how it is paid for. Also my property is over 100 years old with solid stone walls so no cavity wall insulation is possible. Also the boiler could do with replacing etc and new double glazing, new radiators but all of this costs a lot of money which we don´t have and it could mean we actually have to sell the property.

Hampton - this is the thing you need to read :http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1010-green-deal-summary-proposals.pdf

But don't worry - I doubt very much you will be forced to sell up because your property 'fails' to meet the standards. Financial help will in any case be available to LLs for improvements. Unless the boiler is hideously inefficient you will not be required to replace it. until it breaks down. Solid walls can be drylined and if you have a roof on the property, there are good deals to be had at present with photovoltaic cells (the govt. pays you to generate electricity from the sun, in a nutshell). They boost the EPC rating and pay for themsleves within 8-10 years on average, as well as providing free daytime electricity for the tenants. Don't panic, Captain Mainwaring! :(grin):

[jeffrey]

Hampton - this is the thing you need to read :http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1010-green-deal-summary-proposals.pdf
Yes, as per post #4.

[banner257]

If the government was fully committed to good house insulation etc then they would not put VAT of energy reducing measures. I think if we allow accredited firms to pay upfront costs and add a charge to our energy bills we will see a few rip-offs along the way.

[andrewt]

The Government's flagship energy policy and are forecasting millions of homes will be improved through it across all tenures. Effectivley it is loan that is paid back through the utility bill by the energy savings made. Generally a good idea but details still a bit vague. I suppose a big issue for landlords is that the charge is tied to the property not the tenant i.e. if they move on still needs to be paid by the landlord or next tenant.