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Subscribe to rss feedLandlords 'should make energy efficient improvements when opportunities arise'
12th July 2012
Landlords should take whatever chances they get to make their properties more energy efficient, it has been suggested.
According to Tom Entwistle of LandlordZONE.co.uk, there is growing pressure on landlords to offer more eco-friendly properties to tenants and this is only likely to increase in the coming years.
It may therefore be better for landlords to get ahead of the game by making energy efficient changes now.
"Far better that landlords should start to improve the sustainability of their properties now by making improvements when opportunities arise, for example when doing repairs and maintenance, or during void periods, before they are forced to do it," he commented.
"The most obvious and easier features to improve are loft insulation up to 270 mm, cavity wall insulation or wall lagging where appropriate, double glazing and draughtproofing."
Pressure is coming from both the government and tenants when it comes to improving the green credentials of private rented properties.
"Over the coming years and particularly up to and beyond 2016 the government will be putting more and more pressure on landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their rental properties," explained Mr Entwistle.
"The Green Deal is designed to do this without the need to outlay capital but this will inevitably result in long-term liabilities connected to the property."
And while demand for energy efficient homes among tenants is slightly lagging, this is likely to change over the coming years, predicts the property expert.
"As occupiers become aware of this legislation and the benefits of saving money by living in an energy efficient building, inevitably they will begin to demand these higher standards of their landlords," he said.
Meanwhile, if buy-to-let owners do decide to upgrade their properties to make them more energy efficient, they may also want to upgrade their landlord contents insurance to make sure the changes are fully covered.
Posted by Brandon Parker
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