The Green Deal - Helping to benefit your pocket and your planet By Tony Ourris
2nd April 2015
Over the next couple of years the government are making changes to procedures that are going to affect Landlords and homeowners. All properties need a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before they can be let or sold. This provides information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs. It includes recommendations on how to reduce energy use and so you can save your money and the environment. It will also include an energy efficiency rating which is between A for most efficient and G for least efficient.
From 2016 all landlords will be required to implement the improvement recommendations on the EPC - if the tenant requests and there is a suitable financial package available - and from 2018 it will become illegal to offer a property to let with an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’ where an E or above is achievable. This will benefit tenants and buyers, but could mean necessary changes for homeowners looking to sell and landlords with properties to let.
There are many ways to reduce a properties energy use, resulting in a greener home and lower energy bills. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is to look for more Energy Efficient appliances to use within your home. An A+++ rated fridge will use 60% less energy than an A rated fridge of the same size. This could save you up to £50 per year on your energy bills. In the same way, replacing 10 incandescent bulbs within your home to compact fluorescent bulbs could save you £100 per year on energy, and because they last longer, it also saves extra money for you on maintenance. These are little steps that can make a big difference.
If you are a landlord, whether you have a portfolio or just one property, there are benefits to be had by creating a more energy efficient environment for your tenants. Not only do you save money yourself, but you can boost your own reputation by doing it. By demonstrating good practice you are more likely to be approached and tenants are likely to feel more confident about renting your properties. In addition you may be more attractive to tenants than other landlords, in a competitive market, by offering a property with lower typical energy costs therefore saving your tenants money.
The government has set up the 'Green Deal', a programme that provides funding for the installation of certain measures that can improve the energy efficiency of a home or commercial building. Repayments are then deducted from the property owner’s bill following the ‘Golden Rule’. This means that payments are covered by the expected reduction in energy costs. The Green Deal can help you to make improvements in the following areas; Hot Water Systems, Heating, Insulation, Windows and Doors efficiency.
If you wish to find out any more information about energy efficiency within your home or rental property please visit the Government's website www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures/overview Happy Savings!
Do you have a house or flat to rent in Palmers Green, Southgate or Winchmore Hill? Please give us a call at Anthony Webb Estate Agents on 020 8882 7888 .We can help you rent your property to reliable tenants and we offer a range of bespoke packages for Let Only and Managed Properties.
