26th August 2020

Landlords could face hefty fines if their properties are not up to standard

Hundreds of thousands of landlords are facing fines for failing to make their rental homes more energy efficient after changes were introduced earlier this year. It has been necessary to raise this issue once more to help get the message across.

Landlords with homes built in the Victorian era and early part of the 20th century are particularly at risk of being caught out as these types of property are often
most lacking in insulation.

Up to £5,000 fines could be issued for those renting out homes that fall under the lowest F or G-rating on the Energy Performance Certificate.

Government bodies have been warning of the this years’ deadline since as early as 2014, but it is still estimated that hundreds of thousands of rental homes have still not been upgraded, leaving tenants facing far higher than average energy bills and landlords hefty fines.

The older the property, the poorer its energy efficiency is likely to be. The Department for Energy and Climate Change said when it announced the move that 65 per cent of F and G EPC rated private rentals were built pre-1919.

There will undoubtedly be costs associated with the changes. It is advised that all Landlords seek to update their Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) as soon as it expires. For landlords who cannot absorb the costs of the improvements, it could leave them with little choice but to sell, unless they act fast.

Many properties that are either F or G rated could be boosted by making just one change. For example, 40 per cent of privately rented properties could be improved above an F or G category just by installing loft insulation.

It is widely understood that there is not a huge amount of awareness among landlords and tenants on the energy efficiency laws.

However, over the last eight years or so, the number of properties which are EPC rated F or G has gone down from around 700,000 in 2012, to less than 300,000 today.

This means that most properties will be a minimum of E, but many will have gone up significantly more.

Landlords can find out about recommended improvements for their property by checking their Energy Performance Certificate Recommendations Report or obtaining a Green Deal Advice Report.