Landlords need cash to meet EPC deadline, Propertymark insists

The Government should help landlords by providing grants, interest free loans, and tax incentives to meet the EPC deadline of 2030, Propertymark says.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed that landlords will have to ensure their properties meet a minimum rating of EPC C within six years.

And Miliband said that his department are still considering support and incentives for private landlords.

Minimum standards

Landlords are currently prohibited from letting a property if the EPC is below an EPC E rating, subject to some exemptions.

MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) apply to private rented sector property in both England and Wales.

Propertymark also calls on the Government to end its “one-size-fits-all” policy, and develop energy efficiency proposals that reflect the diverse characteristics of private and owner-occupied property.

At the current pace of improvement, it will take landlords until 2042 to bring all privately rented homes up to an EPC rating of A-C, according to figures from Savills released last month.

There must be sufficient financial and practical support to help landlords meet the legislation.”

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “Clarity from the UK Government on new energy efficiency targets is vitality important, and there must be sufficient financial and practical support to help landlords meet the legislation and contribute towards Net Zero targets in 2050.

“Without this support, and an understanding of the diverse nature of property, targets are unlikely to be achieved,” he says.

“As the clock continues to tick down to 2030, the sector also requires urgent clarity on exemptions, including the level of a cost-cap exemption, and if the UK Government intends to introduce interim milestone targets.”