Rental Homes Left Empty Over EPC Costs
- Sarah Ruivivar
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
It seems the road to energy efficiency is getting a bit bumpy.
Conservative MP Greg Smith recently raised a red flag in the Commons, claiming that properties are being left empty because landlords can't afford the hefty price tag of improving their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings to a minimum of C. With a deadline looming in 2030, landlords might need to shell out up to £15,000 per property. Yikes!
Smith, representing Mid-Buckinghamshire, highlighted that even the National Trust and charity Abbeyfield are struggling to meet these standards, leaving homes vacant and residents displaced. His plea? For the government to step in with some financial support for these hard-pressed landlords.
Want to hear more? Join Mal on the Property AI Report Podcast each week!
Access from your preferred podcast provider by clicking here
Junior housing minister Rushanara Ali, however, assures us that raising standards could lift a whopping 550,000 people out of fuel poverty. She pointed to schemes like the boiler upgrade initiative, which offers a £7,500 discount on heat pumps, as a lifeline for landlords. Ali also noted that previous governments left a legacy of high household bills, and the current administration is keen on striking the right balance with the Renters Rights Bill.
So, while the path to greener pastures might be costly, the potential benefits for landlords and tenants alike could make it worth the journey. Let's hope the government and landlords can find a middle ground to keep those rental homes buzzing with life!
Want to hear more? Join Mal on the Property AI Report Podcast each week!
Access from your preferred podcast provider by clicking here
Made with TRUST_AI - see the Charter: https://www.modelprop.co.uk/trust-ai
Comments