Government Help
‘No incentive’ for energy efficient landlords
The majority of landlords have no intention of making their properties energy efficient, with government changes leaving them with no incentive to change.
Research by Easyroommate said that as many as 60% of landlords had did not want to invest in their rental properties to make them energy efficient.
Recent tax changes were blamed for this state of play, with the government’s Green Deal scheme axed earlier this year. Under the scheme landlords could claim back up to £7,600 for energy improvements, but low levels of usage resulted in the scheme being scrapped.
Easyroommate said high interest rates and excessive regulations had deterred landlords from using the scheme.
Karim Goudiaby, chief executive officer of the firm, said landlords needed further help to achieve energy efficient changes.
“Although I am a firm believer that the most cost-effective way to save energy is by changing our consumption habits, it would have been more appropriate to scrap the Green Deal with a clear replacement scheme in place,” he said.
“David Cameron claims this is the “greenest government ever”. How can one proclaim such a bold statement when the government not only scrapped the Green Deal scheme but many other energy efficient projects throughout 2015? Frankly, I think that the government is not doing enough to develop solutions that will benefit tenants, landlords and the environment.
New rules will come into force next October forcing all rented properties to be rated at least E for energy performance.
“Scrapping the deal without any replacement will make it impossible to meet the initial goal of having all the properties rated E by 2018,” he added. “In my opinion, because there is no funding available, there will be no incentive for landlords and homeowners to become more energy efficient and improve their EPC rating.”