Council identifies hundreds of rental units in energy efficiency clampdown

And when all the landlords sell up due to the enforcement notices the council of course will have an abundance of "A" rated EPC dwellings ready for the newly displaced tenants to move into. Not.

For many LL it will make no economic sense to retain such properties.
Payback would take decades and that is if the LL qualified for the Green Deal grants.

Far better to sell off to mug FTB.
Let them improve energy efficiency.

I see many D rated properties.
I wouldn't bother buying unless discounted to factor in EPC C status work.
All rental properties will need to be C status in 10 years time.
Best to have works done now if you wish to retain.
If not get rid of those properties now.
It is at times like these that new-build has an attraction as they are all at least C status.

Few LL will want to bother with IWI or EWI to achieve C status.
Best to get rid of now before most people realise what will be required.

It would give FTB a chance to buy these dud properties and then they can have all the inconvenience and cost of improving to C status.
If they do the works they will be able to sell easily into the LL market.

Unless a property is a wreck which then makes it easy to refurbish to C status leave these dud properties for FTB.
To bring your average terrace property up to C status will cost a fortune even with a grant.

Simply not worth the bother with stagnant capital values.
Time to get rid of these dud properties!

• Annoyed Landlord
• 02 September 2020 11:50 AM

PAul, for a laugh I occasionally look at the recommendations on the EPCs.
Always laugh when I see a recdommendation that says "Save £25 per year" then the cost takes 60 years to recoup!

I bet some Snivel Serpent had a good laugh when they drafted EPC legislation.

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Government need to worry about the health and safety of sleeping on the beach or in the park., because thousands that are housed now will end up homeless ... a park bench wont come with epc. Many more will be homeless as Landlords close up or become more picky. Serve them right, due to stupid laws and the sector's legal robbery by both tenants and Councils.

Government need to worry about the health and safety of sleeping on the beach or in the park., because thousands that are housed now will end up homeless ... a park bench wont come with epc. Many more will be homeless as Landlords close up or become more picky. Serve them right, due to stupid laws and the sector's legal robbery by both tenants and Councils.

Indeed you are so correct.
Unfortunately as yet there are still too many lettings available.

Until this situation changes we won't have tents etc.
The supply of rental accommodation needs to be drastically reduced to ensure Govt realises the effects of its bonkers policies.
This will take time as most LL selling up will sell one every tax year.
It takes a long tine to exit the PRS!
I believe it will take at least 5 years before rental supply is reduced to the point where Govt notices.
Then of course we would be 5 years away from EPC C status requirements.
But I consider properties that would cost a lot to achieve C status are dud properties and would be better to get rid of now.

Unfortunately the housing stock of the UK will struggle to achieve EPC C status.
Additional unsightly and expensive construction would be required which would rarely be worthwhile for LL.

Perhaps these EPC requirements will naturally reduce the PRS as few LL will wish to invest in such dud properties.
As such those properties would only be suitable for OO who wouldn't be subject to the EPC requirements for letting.
LL should sell up now as the nearer we get to 10 years would mean LL struggle to sell at a top market price.

Few LL are aware of the EPC C status requirement in 10 years time.
Savvy LL can offload these dud properties to the ignorant LL and FTB who won't mind about the EPC status.
I believe the EPC requirements will cause savvy LL to sell off these dud properties.
So reducing the rental stock substantially.

I see people claiming that you should perhaps offload 'dud' properties to avoid C rating in 2030 - problem in a town like Brighton is that my energy assessors state there is not a cat in hells chance of many getting to that standard. As for the Council looking at the private sector I find this a joke as I can guarantee you that their own council stock does not comply anywhere near to the standard - which if course legally they do not have to.....

Indeed you raise a very practical issue.
Which is why I can't see Govt requiring C status.
It is as you suggest completely unrealistic to achieve.

EPC C status has the capacity to destroy vast chunks of the PRS.
However if I was a LL of such properties I would be inclined to try and sell them.
I would NOT trust Govt to force the situation.

Lenders in particular will get very nervous of lending on properties not readily capable at a small cost of a achieving C status.

That is why I say they are dud properties even the whole of Brighton!!

I wouldn't trust Govt and Councils at all.
I consider EPC C status is unrealistic for most UK property unless substantial funds are expended which for most LL just won't be worth it.
I also consider that many tenants won't want IWI or EWI.

It will destroy the whole aspect of streets etc.
Can you imagine EWI being required in Cotswold villages!!!??

Since 1st April? You would have thought when council's have had many of their staff furloughed that the remainder would have had far more pressing issues to deal with in their communities helping people affected by CV19 than doing audits on EPC ratings. Clearly a lack of leadership or understanding of how to run their business in East Lindsey.

That aside, I would recommend anyone with a non compliant EPC gets a new one done before committing to any recommended works, especially if they were done in the first few years after 2008. Many of the ratings were based on guesswork and assumption when the assessors were first starting out. They are far more accurate and a fair reflection of the actual EER today, albeit it does often comes down to the quality of the person doing it. If possible be at the appointment as there will still be an element of assumption on insulation etc unless someone can be there to answer their questions. (Had one on a house recently given an F, as the assessor asked no questions and assumed nothing present on most things, wouldn't even stick their head in the loft to check for lagging. Challenged it with photographic evidence and got it revised to a C).

• 07 September 2020 09:46 AM

Very interesting that you managed to achieve a C status.

In 10 years time would you presume to achieve the same status!?

Imagine a different assessor that would not consider your representations.
EPC assessments can have a massive effect on viability.
I consider that your suggestion for all LL to have a new EPC even though not required would be useful to ascertain whether the property is viable in 10 years time.

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• Matthew Payne
• 07 September 2020 10:05 AM

Yes I was surprised as the photos could have been of any property, but it was their suggestion. I initially requested that they return to reinspect but an email is far more cost effective for them especially if they are not local. I suppose if I had invited the reinspection, the chances of me lying would be slim, otherwise I would look pretty stupid when they turned up.

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The early EPCs were done by get rich quick guys. My house had an open porch at the front and back, with the back having what was the coal house and a utility room. Both porches were later fitted with a door. The EPC idiot marked the WHOLE house down because he classes them as part of the building (because of the doors) and they didn’t have insulated roofs. It’s mirror twin next door has no doors and is rated higher, despite the occupants claiming their house is colder.

It seems from these comments that it would be worthwhile many LL having new EPC assessments carried out.

I hadn't realised how out of kilter some of these assessments have been.

So even before considering selling a supposed dud property have a new EPC carried out.
Based on what others have experienced there is every chance you could find your property is C rated.
So very worthwhile retaining as it will probably be another 10 years after C status requirement before an impossible for many B status is required.

I reckon most LL will have long by left the PRS by then.

The next generation will have the problem of required B status!