Landlords not hot on energy rating

11/06/2012 10:22:53

 

A new study suggests that the Government's energy efficiency measures are having little effect on landlords in the private rental sector.

The research from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) shows that more than half of landlords (51%) haven't even heard of the Green Deal energy policy and over a third (36%) don't know the energy rating of their property.

They should at least know the energy efficiency information because every property has to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) but Ian Potter, the operations manager at ARLA, is concerned that landlords aren't doing enough at the moment.

"Our research suggests that landlords aren't as clued up as they should be on the energy performance of their properties, and they are therefore not helping tenants to reduce both their energy consumption and energy costs," he said.

"At a time when energy prices are rising and average household disposable income is reportedly at a four-year low, making a rental property more energy efficient could mean a big difference for tenants, and help a property stand out."

The Survey of Residential Investment Landlords consulted 1,505 landlords. Around 14.5% also confessed that at least some of their properties are in the bottom EPC categories, with an F or G rating, which could be contributing to higher heating bills for tenants.

Copyright Press Association 2012

 

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