Government announces plans for super efficient homes

The plans, announced by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) were unveiled as a way to realise a low-carbon future for the UK, and will go hand-in-hand with next year’s EPC overhaul.

As well as committing to make as many homes as possible at least a C rating on the EPC scale by 2035, the document outlined a number of changes in the property sector, some which will have a significant impact on landlords:

• Continued support for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) policy.
• Improve standards in new boiler installations.
• A consultation in 2018 on how to make the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private rental sector more effective – great news for landlords who are working towards
• A clear link between cold homes and ill health, which costs the NHS £760m per year.
• The 2032 Pathway, which could see millions more properties insulated, especially those in fuel poverty.
• A commitment for a review of building regulations for energy efficiency, following the current review on regulations (The Grenfell Review) for both domestic and non-domestic buildings – it is expected that this review will have a direct impact on additional legislation, such as fire safety, which is likely to have an impact on day-to-day administration requirements.
• Work with the industry to enable the Each Home Counts review.
• Use smart meter data to promote energy efficiency.
• Reform of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to focus on long-term decarbonisation.