This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
New Government plans could see landlords having to take on a number of energy-efficient measures when seemingly tackling one problem.
Consequential Improvements
The Government is proposing to extend needs for consequential improvements under chapter 4 of the consultation on Building Regulations. ‘Consequential Improvements’ is the requirement for further energy efficiency measures to be carried out in a property where other work is already going on.
The consultation states that, ‘The reason for proposing these changes now is to recognise the urgency of reducing emissions from the existing building stock, and, in a time of rising energy prices, to make homes and non-domestic buildings easier and cheaper to heat. It would also take advantage of a new market mechanism which has the potential to remove some of the existing barriers to action – the Green Deal.’[1]
In addition, the consultation says that the objective of the proposals is to, ‘use the opportunity ‘ to maximize the energy efficiency of the property while other procedures are being carried out.
For example, a landlord wanting to replace a broken or faulty boiler in their property could also be forced to improve their glazing and extensions. This is all due to the, ‘consequential improvements,’ scheme outlined by the Government.
Consequential Improvements coming
Another example of work bound under the proposed guidelines would involve landlords wishing to add an extension or conversion to their property possibly having to double glaze existing windows.
Regulations
Every consequential improvement will have to adhere to Building Regulation standards. It is still unclear whether emergency replacement of features such as boilers will lead to consequential works having to be done at the same time or at a later date.
It is the intention of the Government to phase in the ‘consequential improvements’ regulation in April 2014, although the consultation closed in March this year and the results are as yet still unknown.[1]
[1] http://old.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Boiler-needs-emergency-replacement-Landlords-may-be-forced-to-do-other-work-as-well
