News
Private landlords invited to participate in local authority energy efficiency survey
In a welcome move, private landlords and agents are being encouraged to share their views about compliance with minimum energy efficiency requirements (survey here).
At present, it is a requirement for all private rented properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of A to E. Properties with an EPC of F or G can only be rented out if the property has an exemption.
In 2019, only about 4% of properties in England had an EPC rating of F or G, down from 13% in 2009. While good progress has been made, there is still much more work to do.
With the International COP26 Climate Change Conference starting in Glasgow on Sunday 31 October 2021, it is expected government will soon announce plans to increase minimum energy efficiency requirements, possibly to be implemented in 2025.
With around 62% of private rented homes having an EPC rating below C, achieving higher energy efficiency standards in such a short timescale will be a huge logistical challenge.
To help landlords on this journey, assess current knowledge and explore how councils can help landlords to achieve compliance, a survey has been launched in the West of England.
Whilst the survey is being undertaken by West of England Combined Authority together with Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Councils, the survey is open to all private landlords and agents in England.
The survey is being undertaken by M·E·L Research and all individual responses will be strictly confidential. London Property Licensing is working with M·E·L Research on the project.
The survey results will help to inform development of an action plan to help landlord and agents understand the requirements and achieve compliance.
Richard Tacagni, MD, London Property Licensing commented:
“It is great to see local authorities engaging with the lettings industry to help drive up energy efficiency in the private rented sector.
“These West of England councils genuinely want feedback from private landlords and agents. They want to better understand the barriers to achieving compliance and explore how they can help to resolve those issues.
“The survey should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete and I would encourage all landlords and agents to take part.”
The survey is open until 17 November 2021 and you can take part in the survey here.
Once the survey has closed, MEL Research, in conjunction with London Property Licensing will analyse the results and work with the West of England councils to help develop an energy efficiency action plan.
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