However, according to research conducted by BVA BDRC on behalf of Foundation Home Loans, less than half of the 300 respondents said they would look at improving their home’s EPC rating to access a better mortgage product.
Some five per cent said they would be incentivised to make renovations if they paid for themselves in 15 years, while a quarter said they were planning works to improve their EPC rating regardless of any future benefits.
George Gee, commercial director at Foundation Home Loans, said: “There’s no doubting we’re going to be seeing a much greater government focus on the UK’s housing stock, how its energy efficiency ratings can be improved, and how that might help the UK meet its carbon emission targets.
“To that end, there appears to be a far greater appreciation of energy efficiency within the home from individuals, and it’s positive to see two-thirds of all those polled saying a mortgage product with rates based on EPC ratings would be an appealing part of the overall product mix.”
He added: “At the same time, with such incentives in place, more people are likely to consider improving the energy efficiency of their properties and it’s therefore important we have product availability that can support those improvements, whether for owner-occupiers or landlords.
“As an industry, we need to continue to keep this front and centre, and ensure we can offer advisers and their clients these ‘green’ options, which can provide a significant cost-saving for borrowers.”
