As a Cheltenham landlord, you’re almost certainly aware of the big changes in energy efficiency regulations coming up in 2025.
The new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations coming into force next year mean it’s time, if you haven’t already, to improve the energy efficiency of your rentals. You might also be wondering if there’s any government help available for you.
The good news is that there are grants to help landlords improve their EPCs
From next year, any property that you rent out to new tenants must have an EPC of at least C. Existing tenancies’ must have an EPC of C by 2028 and failure to comply could mean a fine of £30,000.
The lowest EPC a property can have is E, but this won’t meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Unfortunately, around 60% of private rentals have EPCs of D or lower, so that’s a lot of landlords putting in a lot of work! There is help, however.
First, get a new EPC
When you’ve got your new EPC certificate, you’ll also receive a list of the energy efficiency improvements you can make to your property, such as:
- Installing new insulation and heating systems
- Fitting double glazing to some or all of your windows
- Replacing loose window frames or draughty doors
- Installing low-energy lighting
Gloucestershire landlords can upgrade the insulation at their properties at discounted rates – or even for free – if they head to the Great British Insulation Scheme. Your property must have an EPC of D or below to qualify for this scheme.
If you need to upgrade your boiler, then the Boiler Upgrade Scheme may be more suitable for you. Again, your property’s EPC rating must be D or lower and you must also own the property and the property must be in England or Wales.
There’s also the ECO4 Scheme, which will run until 2026 and offers eligible homes discounted (in some cases free) upgrades such as insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.
Would your rental property qualify for an ECO4 Grant?
If your property has an EPC of D or lower and your tenants receive government benefits then you may be eligible for an ECO4 grant. Any grant you may receive will depend on the living situation of your tenant and also on how much work needs to be done to improve the EPC.
If you don’t qualify for an ECO4 grant, you might qualify for the ECO4 Flex grant from your local authority. This scheme offers more bespoke grants and can help you to cover some of the costs of necessary upgrades.
Join The Discussion