In December 2020, the government announced that there will be changes made to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for England and Wales. This new standard means that all residential rental properties need an EPC rating of grade C or higher.
Below, our team of specialist finance brokers have highlighted all of the important parts you need to know about these new changes and what they may mean for your properties.
What is an EPC?
An EPC is a review of how energy efficient a property is, which helps potential buyers or tenants assess to see how much their energy bills would cost in their new home.
In the UK, EPCs are carried out by EPC assessors, who will give your property a rating from A to G – a grade A rating is the most efficient, which will mean you will have cheaper bills. This rating will be dependent on two factors:
• The amount of energy used (per m2)
• The level of carbon dioxide emissions
After the EPC has been issued, the certificate will be effective for 10 years, and you will be able to sell or rent your property whilst it’s valid.
What are the new changes?
Currently, landlords in England and Wales are required to have an EPC rating of band E or higher to be able to rent out their properties. However, as the government pushes to reach net-zero by 2050, there will be a new law which states that properties that will be built, rented or sold from 2025 will need to have at least a band C rating. The new regulation changes will hopefully make homes more energy-efficient, which will reduce the property’s carbon emissions.
For existing tenancies, you will have until 2028 to meet the energy compliance rules. Therefore, over the next few years, it is important to start thinking about how you can ensure your properties meet the new EPC regulations, so you can continue to renew tenancies.
According to Financial Reporter, landlords could lose up to £9.5k per property per year if they fail to meet the new EPC regulations. Therefore, it’s important to begin considering implementing a plan to improve your current properties’ efficiency rating. In addition to this, if you’re planning on purchasing a new property over the next few years, it’s recommended that you check the EPC rating is at least a grade C before purchase.
How Finance 4 Business can help
As a specialist finance broker in Birmingham with dedicated commercial, bridging and development teams, we can help you quickly find a commercial mortgage or bridging/development finance that you may need to make your properties more efficient.
We have access to a great panel of financiers, including both high street and specialist lenders, so we can quickly help you find a bespoke solution, and we will support you throughout the process. Some lenders on our panel have products with potentially lower interest rates for rental properties in grades A & B. Not only this, but as a part of our brokerage service, our team will liaise with lenders and solicitors on your behalf, so you can focus your time on other matters.
Why not contact them today? Call our team on 0121 309 0444 or send an email to enquiries@finance-4-business.co.uk, so we can help you find the right financial solution to meet your property’s energy efficiency goals.