Landlords: Is your property 2030-ready?
Energy efficiency standards for rental properties are rising, presenting an excellent opportunity for landlords to improve their properties.
As a landlord, you’re under increasing pressure to meet potential new regulations tied to the UK’s 2030 clean power goals. While the government is still consulting on proposals for all rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C or higher by 2030, it’s wise to start preparing now.
“As a responsible landlord, I obviously want to be compliant with the new legislation coming in. I’d encourage all landlords to get a survey as it gives you a huge amount of information about your property and really gives you the opportunity to put a plan in place for the legislation and beyond.”
Christian, Landlord, Littlemore, Oxford
Benefits of retrofitting
- Improved EPC rating: Properties with higher EPCs attract more tenants, have fewer vacant periods, and report significantly lower maintenance costs.
- Comply with future standards: Stay ahead of regulations that could restrict renting out properties that don’t meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES).
- Reduce tenant turnover and rent arrears: Retrofitting a property lowers energy bills and improves the comfort for tenants, this leads to less tenant turnover, rent arrears and vacant periods.
- Protect against fuel poverty: Lower fuel bills for tenants help to protect against fuel poverty, and increasing their ability to maintain the property well.
- Enhance property attractiveness and value: Retrofit goes hand-in-hand with refurbishment, and increases the attractiveness of your property to prospective tenants and boosting its capital value.
These benefits make retrofitting a smart investment for landlords, enhancing property value, tenant satisfaction, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Future-proof your property
As a landlord, you may be dealing with issues like draughts, poor airtightness, condensation, noise pollution, overheating, or poor indoor air quality. These challenges not only make your property uncomfortable for tenants but also raise energy bills, making it harder to meet potential government EPC requirements under the Warm Homes Plan.
With 51,680 rented properties in Oxfordshire – 19,200 of them in Oxford alone – landlords are under pressure to act now.
While the 2030 deadline is still under consultation, waiting too long could result in difficulty attracting tenants, or selling the property once the regulations are finalised.
Partnering with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire ensures your properties meet and exceed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).. This proactive approach will future-proof your investments, making your properties more attractive to prospective tenants. Our service helps reduce tenant turnover, lower maintenance costs, and increase the overall value of your properties. A higher EPC rating means lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment for tenants.
“We always want to ensure our properties are as energy efficient as they can be, for the longevity of the property but also to make the houses better for the tenants and for them to have lower bills. We found the Whole House Plan really detailed and useful in telling us what we can do to make them more efficient.”
Connie, Property Manager, Lucy Properties, Jericho, Oxford
Get the right solutions
Opting for a Whole House Plan instead of individual measures offers a strategic and comprehensive approach to energy efficiency. This method addresses root causes like damp and mould, plans improvements logically, and ensures future retrofits aren’t compromised. Looking at the bigger picture helps avoid expensive mistakes and allows you to make informed decisions that suit your budget and long-term goals.
Additionally, a Whole House Plan helps you find the most cost-effective way to meet current and future energy standards. It’s flexible, allowing you to choose the level of investment that matches your financial situation while ensuring your property remains compliant and appealing to tenants.
A higher EPC rating not only makes your property more marketable but also significantly reduces energy bills, which is a major draw for prospective tenants.
“I rent mostly to young professionals, and to make it as appealing as possible, I want to do my best energy-wise, as people are more and more interested in climate change. The flat is electrically heated, and this can be expensive, so I also really want to lower energy bills for tenants.”
Catherine, Landlord, Temple Cowley, Oxford
Act now and plan ahead
Many landlords we work with are already upgrading their properties in preparation for the likely regulations.
By acting now, you can develop a long-term strategy that benefits both your property and your bottom line.
Our Whole House Plan provides a detailed roadmap, making it simple to implement efficient, cost-effective improvements. Instead of piecemeal upgrades, we’ll ensure everything works together to future-proof your property and prepare it for 2030, even while the government’s proposed changes are still under consultation.
Position yourself as a forward-thinking landlord committed to sustainability and tenant well-being. Start your retrofit journey today by completing a short form or calling 0330 223 2742.
Are you a tenant?
If you’re a tenant in a private rental property in Oxfordshire and want to find out how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you can find information in our blog post on the topic. The post includes a communications pack to help you start a dialogue with your landlord.