LANDLORDS want “clearer” rules on energy efficiency regulations, a leading property association has said.
A new survey released last week by the Social Market Foundation – a cross party think tank – found an overwhelming majority (79%) of landlords believe they should be subject to stricter energy efficiency regulations.
Private sector landlords are in fact more supportive of raising the MEES to grade C than the general population, with only 11% opposed to such a move.
Commenting on the findings, Jonathan Rolande, spokesman for the National Association of Property Buyers, said: “Even if it involves expensive improvements, landlords just want clarity – not goalpost moving.
“Improvements such as double glazing, insulation and efficient boilers last decades so are in effect a one-off cost.
“Landlords should be accepting of them – they can be deducted for tax, wiping off up to half of the outlay, and they make tenants, who cannot do such work themselves, more comfortable and better off. And that’s before we consider environmental benefits.
“With everybody worried about high heating costs this winter, landlords should not expect their tenants to have to live in a property that is not as well insulated as their own home.”
In September, Rishi Sunak scrapped plans to require all landlords to upgrade their properties to at least EPC C by 2028, citing the need to protect tenants from unfair price hikes in rent due to the cost of renovations.