By Chris Torney
Landlords are being encouraged to improve the energy-efficiency of their properties to avoid possible fines at a later date.
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) said that the government’s new Green Deal is due to encourage buy-to-let owners to take advantage of special finance packages to cut their properties’ carbon footprints when tenants requested improvements to their homes’ energy-efficiency.
But the organisation warned that ministers could introduce a system of fines in the next few years for landlords who don’t comply with new standards and whose properties waste high levels of gas and electricity.
The coalition has said it wants any properties with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G to be improved – but this may not be straightforward, in particular where older houses or flats are concerned.
Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA, commented: “Landlords can already take advantage of a tax allowance of up to £1,500 for energy-efficiency improvements through the Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance (LESA).
“It makes sense therefore for landlords to carry out improvements straight away as considerable cost savings can be made.”
ALRA said that landlords should look at taking simple steps such as:
- Installing cavity wall and floor insulation
- Checking loft insulation
- Insulating water fittings, and
- Installing a thermostat on the boiler.
