Some landlords will buy properties with an EPC rating of D to upgrade
Seven out of 10 buy-to-let landlords (70%) are aware of government proposals that all rental properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, B or C.
This is according to research undertaken by Landbay, which found that awareness is much higher among portfolio landlords than non-portfolio landlords.
The research also revealed that 68% of the landlords surveyed had properties with an EPC rating of D or lower. However, the majority of those (80%) intend to make changes to bring their properties up to at least a C rating.
Currently, the proposals are that new tenancies must be C rated by 2025 and for existing tenancies it is 2028.
Some landlords are viewing these changes as an opportunity, especially those with larger portfolios of 10 properties or more. In our survey, 53% of these landlords said they would consider buying homes that were D rated or lower and bring them up to at least a C rating.
This compares to 32% of portfolio landlords with four to 10 properties who would do the same but only 20% of non-portfolio landlords would choose to buy and upgrade.
For those landlords who know about the proposed EPC changes and are also aware of green mortgages, 84% of them like the incentive of a discounted interest rate.
Paul Brett, managing director, intermediaries at Landbay, said: “Our survey shows that most landlords are aware of the potential new EPC rulings by 2025 and many will have to upgrade their properties to a C rating. Some of them, especially the larger portfolio landlords with 10 or more properties, are looking at how they can turn this to their advantage.
“Buying properties and making them more energy efficient will raise the value of the property and the rental income landlords can charge, as well as reducing tenant’s energy bills. A few extra thousand pounds spent at the buying stage will be an investment for the longer term.
“As awareness of EPC requirements and green mortgages improves, I expect to see many more landlords taking advantage of the lower rates offered by the green mortgage.”
