Are we still trying to save the planet and as a Landlord, can I still get FREE STUFF?

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This story was Published in The Manchester Property Group March Newsletter.

Written by our Energy Angel Alli Johnson

The political landscape is strange at present. A general election is rumoured to be held soon and depending on what you are reading/listening too, a change of political party is on the way.

Hold on though, the current party needs to cause as much bother as possible and sling things around willy nilly as it wouldn’t be politics would it without a load of fear mongering and mud slinging.

Anything “Green” is being back tracked or appearing to be, however, don’t panic Landlords and Landladies just yet.

Yes, projected figures will need to be recalculated (Truss Gate) but simplistically we cannot carry on and further investment is needed.

Are we still trying to save the planet?

Of course we are, we are still in a CODE RED situation, and will be until we either get to Net Zero or find a planet B for us all. (Spoiler alert: There is no planet B).

Is retrofitting really going help?

The average home in the UK is D rated on the EPC. That’s not good and we have millions of homes burning energy, creating and releasing carbon and killing the planet.

These homes are not going away. We can’t knock them all down and build new ones which are A rated or Passivhaus rated, we need to deal with the situation at hand.

We need to be retrofitting as many properties, as quickly as possible, for as long of possible.

Can Landlords still get free stuff?

Yes you can, there are a number of schemes still available for Landlords so if you haven’t taken advantage of them, do that now.

It’s a funny old world isn’t it, whilst we are trying to reach those people who are in private rented accommodation to ensure they pay as little as possible on their fuel bill, the private landlords also gain massively.

Landlords may be eligible to Energy Efficiency Upgrades FREE OF CHARGE based on tenant eligibility.

Recap:

What are Energy Efficiency Upgrades again?

Energy Efficiency Upgrades may include:

• New Heating systems

• Heating Controls

• Insulation – Loft, Floor, Solid Walls and Cavity Walls

• Low Energy Lighting • Ventilation Upgrades

How do we do this?

There are a number of government schemes that we draw from, we cannot say they will always be there, but we are all hoping they are here to stay and will be ramped up, not dwindled down

YES, we are still trying to save the planet and YES retrofitting homes with Energy Efficiency Upgrades will help this.

Following on from last month, more dodgy questions I have been asked:

As a developer what can I get?

If you are refurbing a property and have no tenants in situ, you are not eligible for anything.

Can I rip out the loft insulation to ensure its eligible?

Do not rip out anything, if the property already has an EPC this will have been lodged, and you will be found out and possibly convicted of fraud.

Can I buy a wreck and you guys rebuild it from the various schemes/funds/pots?

No, this is for the energy efficiency upgrades mentioned earlier, not for general building or upgrading a property.

Is it only “old school landlords” who are benefitting?

I had to think about this one and to be honest and its more of a market/investment and generational movement. Landlords who have NOT upgraded their portfolio will gain the most for sure.

However, I am seeing younger developers and landlords coming through who genuinely care about how the property is wasting energy, alongside renters who understand EPC’s and how that will affect their outgoings. This can only be a win for the environment and all of our futures.

Published in the Manchester Property Group Newsletter March 2024