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A House Like Mine guide for landlords

Improvements to make your rental properties more energy efficient can make them warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly. This process is called retrofitting. Investing in retrofit can also increase the property value, improve desirability to renters (and longer tenant retention), helps you to comply with regulations such as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) (improves your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating) reduces problems of damp and mould and helps to future-proof your properties.

In the UK, we have some of the worst performing and least energy efficient homes in Europe! The government is committed to helping to solve this problem because better quality homes will improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequality, improve the economy and improve the environment.

Government grant funding is available for the worst performing houses and for tenants who may need the most help, for example those on a low income or with particular health conditions.

Whatever your motivation, there will be multiple benefits to you as a landlord, your tenants and our wider society in investing in your property.

We want these resources to help landlords start their journey to making their properties more energy efficient. In particular, we want to help landlords take those first steps.

Large improvements can often require time and investment. However, you can make smaller changes that will improve the quality of your property quickly and help you get ahead of the game to comply with the government’s proposed increased MEES standards. Proposals set out that all private rental properties will need to achieve an EPC C by 2030.

Find your property’s EPC at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

The case studies were created using a Whole House Plan approach. A Whole House Plan is an energy efficiency strategy for an entire house based on best practice to achievenet zero (as green as it can be).

In this guide, we highlight all the measures needed to achieve an EPC C,along with a suggested order to implement them. This helps to ensure an efficient approach and can help save you money and hassle in the long run.

It is important to remember that you do not have to do all of the measures at once. If budgets are tight, you can undertake smaller measures or do things like internal room insulation room by room. The case studies also take a fabric first approach. This means prioritising improvements to the building itself to reduce heat loss. All types of insulation are an example of a fabric improvement measure. The case studies show examples of how to make fabric measures that will improve the property’s EPC rating to a minimum of C. We have then shown what the impact would be of a heat pump or installing renewables such as solar PV.

The range of improvements will vary depending on the property. The costs in the case studies are real estimations for that particular house. Every property is different – this is a guide not a rule book, so find out which approach works best for you and your properties.

  • Financial support is available. Find out if your property or tenants are eligible for a grant https://www.oxford.gov.uk/retrofitting-home/grants-financial-support
  • Think of these improvements as a long-term investment that can add value to your property.
  • There are many benefits to landlords including, increased property values, better quality properties, longer tenant retention, compliance with regulations and reduced damp and mould.
  • The case studies were done using a Whole House Plan approach that demonstrates best practice – costs can vary considerably depending on materials and style.
  • A whole house plan is a valuable part of the process.
  • The order you install measures can be important to save money in the long run.
  • You don’t need to do all the measures, you can do some of them or do it in phases.
  • It’s hard to generalise energy efficiency home improvements because every house is different.

Find out how to start your journey by selecting the case studies most similar to your properties. This will show you the type of improvements that can be made and what impact they can have.

You can create your own energy efficiency property improvement plan by using online tools such as the Government’s Find ways to save energy in your home  https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

Or the Cosy Homes Plan Builder https://app.cosyhomesoxfordshire.org/

To access further support on energy efficiency home improvements, grant funding and support services please visit houselikemine.org.

Pre-1900s end-terrace, Jericho, Oxford (rental)

Current EPC rating: 58 D. Potential EPC: 85 B

Spacious end-terrace in a conservation area with retrofit potential

This case study focuses on a 5-bedroom end-terrace home in a conservation area, occupied by five adults. With a floor area of 135 m² (1,453 ft²), the property features solid walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with rooms-in-roof.

The timber windows include a mix of single, double, and secondary glazing, offering varied levels of insulation. The home’s annual energy use is 29,334 kWh – equivalent to 220 kWh per square metre – with carbon emissions of 6.1 tonnes per year. A tailored Whole House Plan could identify key improvements, such as upgrading insulation and optimising glazing, to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and create a more comfortable living environment.

1950s end-terrace, Blackbird Leys, Oxford (Rental)

Current EPC rating: 68 D. Potential EPC: 100 A

End-terrace family home with potential for greater efficiency

This case study features a 3-bedroom end-terrace home occupied by two adults and three children. The property has a floor area of 87 m² (936 ft²) and a mix of cavity and solid walls, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.

The windows are uPVC double glazed, providing some energy efficiency. However, the home’s annual energy use is 14,478 kWh – equivalent to 167 kWh per square metre – with carbon emissions of 3 tonnes per year. A tailored Whole House Plan could help identify opportunities to improve insulation, reduce energy consumption, and enhance comfort for the tenants while meeting future efficiency standards.

1900s mid-terrace, Littlemore, Oxford (Rental)

Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 100 A

Mid-terrace family home with room for improvement

This case study highlights a 3-bedroom mid-terrace home occupied by two adults and two children. With a floor area of 64 m² (689 ft²), the property features solid brick walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.

The windows are primarily uPVC double glazed, with some single glazing and bay windows, offering a mix of insulation levels. The home’s annual energy use is 13,736 kWh – equivalent to 216 kWh per square metre – with carbon emissions of 2.8 tonnes per year. A tailored Whole House Plan could help the property address its heat loss, improve comfort for tenants, and lower energy bills while reducing its environmental impact.

1990s top-floor flat, Temple Cowley, Oxford (Rental)

Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 85 B

Energy-efficient opportunities in a top-floor flat

This case study features a 1-bedroom top-floor flat in a conservation area, occupied by two tenants. With a compact floor area of 55 m² (592 ft²), the property is built with timber frame walls, timber floors (situated above another flat), and a pitched roof with a loft.

The flat benefits from double-glazed windows and skylights, contributing to natural light and some energy efficiency. With an annual energy use of 5,235 kWh – equating to 95 kWh per square metre – and carbon emissions of just 0.7 tonnes per year, the property already performs well. However, a tailored Whole House Plan could identify further opportunities to enhance comfort, reduce running costs, and meet future energy standards.

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