???By 2016 your tenants can demand energy efficiency improvements to your properties.

[mind the gap]

A lot of tenants seem to rent a property because it is dead cheap, then months later they complain that it doesn't have double glazing, it's draughty, etc.

Absolutely. More irrationality. The T in a house I manage is even complaining that what she pays for gas and electricity is higher than it was where she lived before (two years ago, in the south, sharing with two others! She now rents a three bed house, by herself, in the Lake District). Duh.

Just out of interest, we looked at her bill and compared it to what the EPC said it should be (on average). Spot on.

[mind the gap]

I'm all in favour of energy conservation, saving the planet, hugging trees etc, especially if this is possible at no cost to LL..

Regarding your general comments, true, usually.... but I have 3 houses which have below "E" EPCs and cannot have most of the improvements that will get them to "E".. - no loft so no loft insulation, no cavity wall etc, double-glazing done, low energy bulbs done etc etc etc...

And whilst I am happy to fund improvements that will enhance the EPCs (hopefully I wouldn't need to open my wallet..) there appears little options open to me..

The ECO deals, if any, have yet to be fully & formally announced.. so currently it seems unclear is
a) I will be, from 2018, unable to let them...
b) If I will have any ways round the problem...

The weird thing is, the houses ain't that bad...

Cheers!!

Insulate and dry-line the interior walls?

[theartfullodger]

Have any regulations been passed or drafted?? I ask as the "industry" seems to be banging on about how properties must be at least "E" EPC rated, but as I read the Act all I can find is...

49 Non-domestic energy efficiency regulations
(1)The Secretary of State must make regulations for the purpose of securing that a landlord of a non-domestic PR property—
(a)which is of such description of non-domestic PR property as is provided for by the regulations,
(b)in relation to which there is an energy performance certificate, and
(c)which falls below such level of energy efficiency (as demonstrated by the energy performance certificate) as is provided for by the regulations, may not let the property until the landlord has complied with the obligation mentioned in subsection (2).
(2)The obligation is to make to the property such relevant energy efficiency improvements as are provided for by the regulations.

Does anyone know of any Bill, Act or regulation that defines what EPC ratings must be from 2018??

Cheers!

[Berlingogirl]

I went to a meeting the other evening with other LL the subject of which was insulation. From what I could gather the improvements are done (insulation to front of house, windows, loft, boiler and whatever) and the LL does not have to pay upfront. However, the cost of electricity will go up to cover the cost. The theory being that the T will save money due to the upgrades.

The charge is attached to the elec because everyone has elec but not gas.

The charge is attached to the house so the LL will have to inform the next tenant of the upgrade and the higher charge.

One of my tenants has just had MY house clad in concrete WITHOUT my permission. I only found out yesterday. This will have an effect on my house insurance. So I suppose at the moment my insurance is void because I haven't told them about the changes to the house. Asbestos tiles have been removed from the front, or at least I think they've been removed not just covered.

I will be writing to all my other tenants to LET ME KNOW before they do any changes. Grrrrrrrrrr

[bandontherun]

I'm all in favour of energy conservation, saving the planet, hugging trees etc, especially if this is possible at no cost to LL..

Regarding your general comments, true, usually.... but I have 3 houses which have below "E" EPCs and cannot have most of the improvements that will get them to "E".. - no loft so no loft insulation, no cavity wall etc, double-glazing done, low energy bulbs done etc etc etc...







And whilst I am happy to fund improvements that will enhance the EPCs (hopefully I wouldn't need to open my wallet..) there appears little options open to me..

The ECO deals, if any, have yet to be fully & formally announced.. so currently it seems unclear is
a) I will be, from 2018, unable to let them...
b) If I will have any ways round the problem...

The weird thing is, the houses ain't that bad...

Cheers!!

in such cases dry line internally with phenolic backed plasterboard like thermaline super. you will be gobsmacked by the difference. condensation problems all gone, properties toasty warm with a fraction of the juice, its all tax deductible expense

[hech123]

A well-known Landlord Association has recently emailed me with the claim

By 2016 your tenants can demand energy efficiency improvements to your properties.

Is that true & if so from what legislation, please???

All I can say is throughout hundreds of lets I have never been asked for one of these!

[EcoDave]

Landlords may apply for a Green Deal during void periods, as the electricity bill will be in their name at that point. So even if you have a tenant unwilling to play ball (I don't know why as the ides is that their bills get cheaper) you should get opportunities to act between now and 2018. ECO subsidy will support the installation of solid wall insulation, so, theartfullodger, you should have no problem getting your properties up to the desired standard (as long as not in conservation area or listed building?). I would suggest that you should act on this as soon as possible, as the early adopters to the Green Deal scheme will get juicy cash backs.