eco1234 Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 As you are aware , as from the 1st April 2018 there will be a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) The purpose of this email is to make Landlords aware that there are some Grants available which may help to do this and improve the properties enough so they may be continued to be let in the future. The grants all depend on Who lives in the property at the moment ( Therefore, does anyone in the property receive ANY of the benefits listed below ) Pension Guarantee Credit Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit Income Support Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance Income-Related Employment Support Allowance Universal Credit If anyone of the tenants receive any of the benefits above then simply get in touch with us and we will see how we can help . Regards Lorraine 01782757519 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 An EPC rating of E or below would only be achieved by the very worst property available. Normally very cheap, small changes like: * Fitting energy saving light bulbs * Fitting a jacket on the hot water cylinder * Draught proofing Would improve the property rating above E Anything built in the last 25years would be rated far higher. Anyone on any of those credits wouldn't get anywhere near to renting one of my properties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eco1234 Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Thanks for this, If the heating is ESh, Oil or LPG you can normally get these free of charge,so no cost to the Landlord, it would add value to the property and also improve the tenants living conditions, regards Lorraine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melboy Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 As from the 1st April 2018 there will be a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The regulations will come into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st April 2018 and for all existing tenancies on 1st April 2020. It will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches the requirement for a minimum E rating, unless there is an applicable exemption. A civil penalty of up to £4,000 will be imposed for breaches. This guidance summarizes the regulations. For most landlords this will mean that they will no longer be able to rent out a property with a rating of F or G after April 1st 2018. As such landlords with properties in this EPC bracket should begin preparing now for April 1st. Full details here: https://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/minimum-energy-efficiency-standards.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I suspect properties that achieve E, F or G ratings are older, poorly maintained, slums owned by landlords that spend no money on improvements and carry out little or no mainenance. Good luck if you think those same landlords will spend 000's fitting new heating systems when they can tinkle around the edges.....spending less than £200 to achieve the minimum required. A great idea but it will have little or no effect on raising housing standards. We all know that fitting low energy bulbs an hour before the EPC Assessor arrives will result in a higher rating.....and we already know swoping them for the originals after he has gone is often what happens. It will only work if it's policed.......and it ain't policed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eco1234 Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I don't think you understand, they will be free so no charge to the landlord, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Landlords wont want their properties empty whilst a new heating system is installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eco1234 Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 They don't have to be empty, They are installed within hours.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Isn't that rather misleading ? Whilst that may be possible on SOME properties, I doubt it will apply to all.....and it definitely isn't going to apply to the worst. .......and it's not entirely free. It being paid for by those of us who pay taxes. £18000 in my case this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carryon Regardless Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I don't think it unreasonable to assume that this latest initiative will become more stringent over time, with a D requirement and eventually a C. While I'm ok Jack for others it's not daft to plan for this. True enough the lower rated properties will be of lower quality, also more likely they will be occupied by claimants and be low revenue. Since legislation is creating this socialist tax on LL's there being some assistance doesn't seem unreasonable, to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I've got a couple of flats which are pretty energy/insulation poor.......virtually no loft insulation, no cavity wall insulation, electric storage heaters etc etc. They got rated a D.......so anything with an E rating must be incredibly bad. There's no incentive for me to improve anything.......they achieve very high rents, the yield is well into double figures and nobody looks at EPC certs when looking to buy. I'm not going to change anything anytime soon. I plan to sell the flats over the next 2/3 years and I don't think the Gov't will make further changes in that time frame. Its a great idea but I do wish my taxes were spent on more worthwhile projects. Having Lorraine boast about her ability to arrange a free installation .....at my expense, is exceptionally annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carryon Regardless Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 i agree on our taxes being abused, a good way to reduce that is for our politicians to stop messing with policies for self promotion. Is anyone sending out the revised How To Rent booklet yet? I'm being hit by Selective Licencing again. The previous 5 years were at a cost of £750 per property. This time £500 application fee, I don't know the result of a failed application ie a re application being required. Followed by £120 per year. It only came out yesterday so I don't know if this will be ongoing or a repeat each 5 years again. I do see the Council is empowered to fine a non applicant £30,000, not a typo, of course no S21 possible and 12 month rent refund to T. I know the policy statement but don't see any advantage re tenant security, better property management, or even less anti social behaviours. All given reasons for this. Glad I've only got the one property over in that hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 35 minutes ago, Carryon Regardless said: Is anyone sending out the revised How To Rent booklet yet? It's not retrospective. The 'new' booklet only has to be provided for new tenancies so doesn't need to be given to existing tenants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampa Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Richlist said: It's not retrospective. The 'new' booklet only has to be provided for new tenancies so doesn't need to be given to existing tenants. Yes but if the tenancy goes statutory periodic after the fixed term, it will need providing again unless original fixed term tenancy was granted before the 1 October 2015. Doesnt apply for contractually periodic tenancies though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 So what happens with regard to ongoing tenancies ? Example: .....Original fixed term granted April 2017. Tenancy became statutory periodic in October 2017. New booklet introduced January 2018.......does the booklet need to be provided again ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampa Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 Well it does appear you need you need to give the tenants a copy of the new version. But the legislation does not provide any time limit to give the leaflet. So you can just give a tenant a copy of the latest version a couple of days before serving the S21. I cant find the exact wording regarding why it applies to a statuary periodic tenancy it may be because there has been a ruling somewhere (that related to council tax) that states a SPT is a new tenancy. You only need a smart arsed solicitor to pick up on it at a eviction hearing to get it chucked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carryon Regardless Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I only mentioned the booklet as a sarcastic quip to demonstrate the continual meddling. The later conversation demonstrates nicely how we are continually tripped up by such pratting about by our so superior legislators, and with our combined expertise we still don't quote a definitive answer for our own protection. Nicely done chaps. Grampa your comment on there being no stipulated time, serving the booklet of the day in front of the judge, if it goes that far, seems a nice strategy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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