Green Makeovers improve appeal for tenants and cut costs

easier.com - 11th April 2011

According to a recent poll the buy to let market has reaches record highs with 41 per cent of landlords planning to increase rents during the next 12 months. This is concerning news for many tenants who, as a result of the increased cos of living due to escalating fuel prices and the recent VAT rise, are already struggling to make their payments on time, pushing them into debt and leaving their landlords to pay the mortgage.

The Government has stated that it may introduce new regulations to force landlords to improve the energy efficient features is one of the simplest ways for a landlord to make a property more cost effective to run. The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance currently offers financial support in the form of a tax allowance up to the value of £1,500 to help support landlords that choose to implement energy saving measures.

Buildings 'should display energy ratings'

bdonline.co.uk - 30th March 2011

The UK Green Building Council has said all non-residential buildings should have their A-G energy rating on public buildings to encourage landlords to bring up to scratch those premises lagging behind.

The ratings would provide an at-a-glance indicator and detailed technical information on the energy performance of a building, it said. The council added that these display energy certificates should be used to produce a range of publicly accessible league tables based on occupiers, landlord, sectors, building types and uses.

Green Building Council chief executive Paul King said the rating system should be included in the Energy Bill currently going through parliament. "A to G ratings for commercial buildings will provide a reputational driver for both landlords and tenants to take energy use more seriously," he added.

He said aswell as displaying ratings, landlords should also be required to put up certificates showing energy efficiency of the services they provide.

EPC rules tighten

estateagenttoday.co.uk - 25th March 2011

New requirements are set to tighten up rules on Energy Performance Certificates imminently.

Communities and Local Government has issued no press briefings or other information, but has held meetings with EPC providers to discuss changes, which look set to including having a full EPC on all marketing, including the internet.

However, according to part of the presentation by CLG which we have seen, the changes are due to come into force 'from April / Jult 2011'. However, the document does not specify in what order the changes will apply or give actual dates.

The changes will include:

• An EPC must be either available or ordered before any property is marketed for sale or rent, and enforcement officers will have powers to check that the EPC has been commissioned;
• The full EPC, apparently as opposed to the summary graphs, must be provided when supplying property particulars;
• The 'responsible person' (usually the agent) must use 'reasonable efforts' to ensure that the EPC is available within seven days of the start of marketing, rather than the current 28 days; 
• The EPC must be attached to all proeprty particulars for marketing purposes;
• Finally, the changes make the agent liable to prosecution if the EPC rules are broken.

Provide more advice about energy efficiency say experts

uswitch.com - 25th February 2011

Howeowners should be helped to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient an expert has said. 

Gordon Miller, Sustainability and Communications Director of Sustain Worldwide, said that there is a lack of awareness when it comes to energy efficiency. He highlighted the importance of energy saving and added that barriers that currently prevent people from carrying out essential measures need to be addressed.

Mr Miller explained that some homeowners are unsure of how particular gadgets and technologies work and do not know who can help to fit them.

"It goes back to finding peoples trigger point that will see them engage with the debate and act," he said, suggesting that environmental concerns and money may motivate people.
"Whatever works - and each [issue] will for different people - is where the focus needs to be," he added.

Investing in the green economy is a hot topic for many organisations, as this week the United Nations called for 2% of the worldwide income to be invested into reducing greenhouse gasses.

Huhne calls for greater effort in renewable heat development

energysavingtrust.org.uk - 23rd February 2011

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has called for greater developments to be made in renewable heat technology.

Speaking to the Royal Geographic Society last week, he highlighted the need to tackle what is the UK's second biggest driver of energy demand after transport.

"More combined heat and power schemes, putting waste heat to better use. More district heating schemes are needed" he said.

"And more electric air and ground source heat pumps, drawing warmth from the outside world to heat indoors. Better insulation, smarter homes, and more energy efficient heating can help us to cut our energy demand."

The minister noted that research from British Gas shows that homeowners who install energy efficiency measures cut their gas consumption by 44%, showing that home improvements can be made and can be effective.

In addition, Mr Huhne said that electricity use could double by 2050 as the grid is used to heat homes and charge cars.

He stressed the need for low-cabon supply from renewable energy such as wind, wave, solar and micro-hydro power, as well as from nuclear and carbon capture storage.

Being energy efficient is key to being competitive

guardian.co.uk - 15th February 2011

Energy costs account for as much as a fifth of business expenditure so investing in efficiency can lead to gains in competitive advantage.

At a time when cutting costs is imperative for many businesses, utility costs can be a significant and unavoidable overhead. Energy costs can account for up to a fifth of the average business' expenditure and this is compounded by a volatile energy market and an increasing amount of complex regulation on the horizon.

However this threat can be turned into an opportunity to cut costs and gain a competitive advantage if businesses are willing to transform their approach to managing their energy use.

From our experience of working with over 750,000 business and public sector customers we know that most businesses can save at least 10% on their bulls by taking steps to manage their energy more efficiently. For those that go a step further and make energy efficiency a business priority, savings in the region of 20-30% are achievable.

Landlords given tips on greening properties

rman.co.uk - 14th February 2011

Landlords have been handed tips on the best ways to make their properties greener in a bid to attract tenants.

According to letting agent body ARLA, the governments Green Deal is set to offer landlords financing in order to improve the energy efficiency of the homes they rent out.

Older properties will be particularly targeted under the scheme, with any houses with an energy performance certificate rating of F or G to be updated first.

Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA commented: "landlords can already take advantage of a tax allowance of up to £1,500 for these energy efficiency improvements through the landlords's energy saving allowance."

He added that it makes sense for landlords to carry out the necessary work as soon as possible in order to make immediate cost savings.