Propertymark wants to see more energy-efficient homes, but with realistic targets and incentives to act.
In its submission to the government ahead of the Budget in mid-March, Propertymark says that without providing landlords and homeowners with incentives and access to sustained funding, it is unlikely that energy efficiency targets for the private rented sector and a reduction in emissions across the property sector will be met.
It insists the government should provide a combination of grants, loans and help with survey costs to incentivise landlords and homeowners.
Propertymark says the greatest need is to decarbonise stock and tackle fuel poverty is in the Private Rented Sector with around two thirds of stock fall below an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C.
It accepts that while the government has already allocated £4 billion of funding for decarbonisation of housing, much of this has been in the social sector and is much less than the £9.2 billion highlighted in the Conservative election manifesto.
It is also a fraction of the government’s estimate that £35 to £65 billion of investment is needed by 2035.
The submission continues: “The government should learn from the lessons of the implementation of the Green Homes Grant and allocate a scheme for landlords and homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties.
“The Green Homes Grant was designed to improve 600,000 homes from a £1.5 billion budget. However, progress from the scheme was hampered by bureaucracy and difficult to achieve requirements.”
Propertymark wants the government to “set out a plan for energy efficiency improvements that are linked to the recommendations on an EPC. This would provide a clear plan of action for landlords and homeowners, which demonstrate the most suitable route to take.”
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
.png)
%20(002).png)
%20(002).jpg)
.jpg)
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
Propertymark - keep up with the times guys!! The Government is launching the Eco Plus scheme in just a few weeks time. Lots of grants, subsidies and handouts that Propertymark has been calling for. The Government is dumping 'Helicopter Cash' on those who want to improve their rental investment properties and their own homes. It's NOT means tested and you just need to be EPC Grade D or lower and be a in lower Council Tax band. Propertymark, your market intervention dreams have come true!! Will you be issuing a Press Release saying how POSITIVE you think Eco Plus will be and that the Government has actually listened and acted? Bet you don't.
21,000,000 domestic EPCs now on the national database - epcregister . com
1,000,000 commercial EPCs now on the national database - about 95% of all commercial rental buildings
Domestic landlords have to pay £65 once every 10 years for an EPC. It's the lowest cost compliance inspection we have to obtain.
The robust national database is the greatest detailed survey of the country's building stock since William the Conqueror commissioned the Domesday Book in 1086. It was used after the Grenfell Tower disaster to accurately identify all high-rise apartment blocks. This information was obtained for the Prime Minister within 60 minutes of her request.
The straightforward domestic EPC is a 'running cost' calculation. It has been since 2008. Occupiers of houses and flats firstly want to know their likely energy bills NOT carbon dioxide emissions. The certificate is very much 'fit for purpose'. It always has been. They are prepared by a nation-wide group of trained and qualified energy efficiency assessors who are audited by the Government to ensure accuracy. Have anyone on this site actually spoken to their energy assessor or paid extra for their professional advice? I have on many occasions for my rental units.
The commercial EPC is a 'carbon dioxide' calculation. The clear MEES Regs for commercial buildings has already and will continue to massively improve the UK building stock. Solely because of EPCs and MEES I have been improving my commercial rental units, with the aim to get them all up to Grade B within the next 3 years.
It looks as if the energy suppliers will be operating the scheme for the bill payers. Unless the tenants are prepared to put some effort in to get the improvements, how will the landlords benefit? We already have issues with tenants failing to attend contractors appointments, including a tenant who reported the property to local council without advising us as agents; the issue was condensation, we arranged for loft insulation and tenant was " too busy" to be home for the appointment!
It will be closer to £500bn by the time we work our way through all the sub EER Cs, and its going to take a generation to get there - it's taken us 15 years to NOT get an EPC on every property....
Martin, where is this helicopter cash ?
Sometime ago l entered a government scheme to upgrade a gas boiler. HMG gave me permission to buy a boiler( after full details of existing boiler was given). I had specified boiler installed, applied for grant, was advised that l couldn't have it because existing boiler was good enough.
Please login to comment