Government Turns Up Heat On Inefficient Landlords

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 17, 2009 -- In October 2008 the government introduced the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) scheme which rates properties according to their energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions.

This article examines simple measures that landlords can take in order to increase a property’s energy efficiency, thereby improving its marketability to prospective tenants.

EPCs compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that the property can achieve. Ratings are on a scale from A (the most efficient) to G (the most inefficient).

Typically the EPC measures the following elements of a home:
• Walls
• Roof
• Floor
• Windows
• Main heating and controls
• Any secondary heating
• Hot water
• Lighting

The landlord must make the EPC available to prospective tenants at the earliest possible opportunity. Vittorio Di Adamo, founder of Bournemouth Student Flats website advises that “some tenants seem to be unaware of the requirement upon the landlord to provide an EPC. We ensure that tenants are shown an EPC when viewings are conducted at any of our properties”.

Until 2008 tenants had no means of judging the difference in fuel costs between similar properties, potentially landing tenants unexpectedly large bills. The EPC also has an advantage for the landlord so that improvements to a property can be quantifiably measured. The result of which can be clearly shown to prospective tenants.

The landlord can take inexpensive measures in improving the ratings of a property. Simply changing the light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs can reduce the energy used by up to eighty percent. These can often be picked up at the supermarket for less than a pound. Another simple measure is to fit thermostatic radiator valves to the radiators. These allow the temperature of each room to be controlled to suit individual needs, adding to comfort and reducing heating bills provided internal doors are kept closed.

Higher cost measures include changing the boiler to a band 'A' condensing boiler. These boilers will burn less fuel to heat the property. This improvement is more appropriate when the existing boiler requires repair or replacement. In the December 2009 pre-budget report the government announced a £400 scrappage allowance for the replacement of an existing band 'G' boiler. The scrappage allowance will be available for up to 125,000 homes. The efficiency rating of current and discontinued boilers can be checked at the Sedbuk website.

The EPC does not measure house hold appliances such as washing machines and fridges. “I believe this is a major short coming of the EPC for the rental market. Older appliances can be very expensive to operate compared to today’s band 'A' appliances” explains Vittorio Di Adamo.

Even when a home is energy efficient the tenant can personally contribute to saving energy by:
• switching off lights and appliances when not in use
• if not filling up the washing machine use the half load facility or economy wash cycle
• disconnect chargers when not in use
• close curtains at night to reduce heat escaping through windows
• dry clothes outside instead of using the heating radiators
• ensure the heating thermostat is effectively used
• make sure the hot water is not too hot

Rising fuel costs and the environmental impact should now be a significant consideration when selecting a property to rent. By making a home energy efficient it will be more appealing to tenants, so will pay for itself in the longer term.

More information can be found online at http://www.bournemouthstudentflats.co.uk

boiler scrappage scheme     bournemouth     energy performance certificate     energy saving measures     EPC