Wednesday 17 May 2017

Rural landlords call for review of new efficiency rules

A group of rural landlords have demanded a review of new energy efficiency legislation to be introduced next year.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents around 30,000 property owners, says the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) need to be clarified as they are currently unenforceable for a large number of properties.

The rules mean as of next April, it will be illegal to let a property that has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating lower than an 'E'.

The CLA says there remain unanswered questions, such as whether owners of listed or conservation properties will be required to comply with the upgrades.

Another problem the group has with MEES legislation is that it was originally drafted on the basis that property owners would be able to get financial support to make any improvements under the Green Deal.

However, the Green Deal was scrapped in 2015 and the legislation has not been updated to reflect this.

Tim Breitmeyer, Deputy President of the CLA, said: "With less than a year to go and the further delay of the general election, time looks to be running out.

"We support the principles behind the MEES regulations but there are so many errors, delays and uncertainties that it is almost impossible to advise anyone on how to be proactive and ensure compliance."

He added a third of the homes which will be affected by the legislation have been given lower EPC ratings than they actually deserve due to errors in the way the government assesses the energy efficiency of traditional solid wall buildings.