Half of non-portfolio landlords in the dark over EPC rules

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  • 22/02/2022
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Half of non-portfolio landlords in the dark over EPC rules
Almost half of landlords with three or fewer properties are not aware of the changing requirements around energy performance certificates (EPCs), a study from Landbay has revealed.

The poll of landlords found that 54 per cent of non-portfolio landlords are aware of the incoming new rules, compared with 80 per cent of portfolio landlords with 10 or more properties and 70 per cent of those with between four and 10 buy-to-let properties.

All rental properties with new tenancies will need to have an EPC rating of at least C from 2025, which is then being expanded to all existing tenancies from 2028. The EPC rules are reportedly already influencing the purchasing decisions of some landlords according to Hamptons, while a host of lenders have launched mortgage deals which deliver a lower interest rate to properties with higher ratings

Most landlords, of all sizes, said they would wait until 2025 to carry out necessary work to bring their properties up to standard. A third of larger landlords (35 per cent) said they were willing to upgrade their investments earlier, falling to just 20 per cent of smaller portfolio and non-portfolio landlords.

Paul Brett (pictured), managing director of intermediaries at Landbay, said it was not surprising that most professional landlords were aware of the EPC changes, given that property is their business and many are hands-on landlords. 

He continued: “However, awareness among smaller landlords is much lower and although they have another four years to make any upgrades to properties, they should really know what is coming down the line.

“With an uptick in remortgaging due this year, brokers should take the opportunity to ask their landlord clients if they are aware of these new EPC rules. Clients will appreciate their broker showing an interest in them beyond just the mortgage by demonstrating a wider knowledge of the buy-to-let market.”

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