Government EPC rating plans causing confusion, Leeds estate agent finds

Widespread confusion has been caused by Government plans to enforce a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating requirement of C, says Leeds estate agent HOP.

The Government is considering making a C rating the minimum requirement for all new tenancies by 2025 in England and Wales. This will also apply to all existing tenancies by 2028.

The changes are now part of the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill, which is currently going through parliament.

HOP is advising both new and existing landlords to seek expert advice and carefully consider a property’s EPC when it comes to new investments.

Luke Gidney, Managing Director at HOP, comments: “The EPC rating scheme has seven different bands, with G being the least energy efficient and A the most efficient. Currently, rental properties in England and Wales need to have an EPC of at least E to be let, unless they are exempt, but the Government is considering increasing this to C, as part of its ambition to hit net zero carbon emissions.

“However, a surprising number of new and existing landlords are unaware that these changes are on the horizon. Some estate agents avoid mentioning it in order to secure a sale, but we work hard to make sure that investors fully understand what they’re buying.

“We’re already advising a number of landlords on steps to improve their ratings and have decided to launch a comprehensive EPC Consultation Service to help navigate the proposed changes. Several members of our team are training to be official EPC assessors, so we can provide tailored and strategic advice on the best ways to improve a property’s energy performance.

“It’s also important to remember that the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill still has a long way to go before it becomes law, and it could still be thrown out, and this is part of the reason why there’s so much uncertainty and confusion around it.

“In many cases, turning a property into a C rated home could be as simple as improving the insulation or installing a more efficient boiler, but in some older properties it could require significant investment and work. It’s therefore important that anyone investing in property now, as well as existing landlords, fully understand the EPC rating that’s put in front of them and seek professional advice.

“Despite the possibility of the new legislation and the impact it may have on some properties, Leeds remains a very attractive location for investors. The city naturally offers better value for money than many other parts of the UK with attractive yields, against the backdrop of a strong local economy and high demand for quality rental property from both professionals and students.

“There’s also a good range of housing stock, with modern apartments and new builds always proving popular for investors and these are often built with a B or C rating. However, often it’s the older houses and traditional Leeds terraces in the sought-after suburbs surrounding the city centre, that offer the best yields, but these are generally less energy efficient than new stock.

“Investors buying these types of properties definitely need to consider how much it could cost if the property had to achieve a C rating and plan ahead for the possibility.”