Energy Ratings Must Be Improved By April 2018

A recent government announcement has indicated that from 1st April 2018, the UK property industry will be affected by an increase in EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating standards in privately rented homes. Recently announced by the government, the aim of this change is to improve energy efficiency in the private property sector.

It’s a legal requirement that property owners in the UK must supply EPC ratings for their buildings when renting or selling. These ratings have become a crucial factor for those house hunters too, providing a crucial indicator for the energy bills they can expect.

The EPC grade of each home is decided by considering the insulation, hardware and heating facilities of the property, identifying any crucial weak spots. The grades rank from ‘A’ down to a ‘G’, but under the new government regulations, all homes will now require a minimum of an ‘E’ rating to be sold or let.

This is expected to cause a brief flurry of activity, as homeowners have until the stated date to ensure that their properties reach a strong standard or risk losing out on income. However, in the long term, the regulation change will provide benefits for both homeowners and tenants alike.

The government will also be offering grants for homeowners to cover some of the costs caused by the raised EPC ratings, so improving insulation can be more cost-effective than ever.

Other suggested changes to raise EPC ratings have included installing smart storage heaters and LED bulbs, although none have the same impact as improved insulation.

If you would like to find out how these proposed changes may affect you and your property, please call me on 01327 879431