More than one in six landlords (17%) say that their properties fall into the lowest two categories of energy efficiency – meaning that they could be banned from the rental market.
From 2018 under the Government’s Green Deal proposals, properties with F and G EPC ratings will not be allowed to be let.
The finding emerges in the latest poll by the Association of Residential Letting Agents, which also discovered that over one third of landlords (35%) do not know how their properties score with EPCs.
ARLA called for the Government to help landlords to achieve minimum standards, calling for the Landlords Energy Savings Allowance to be extended
Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA, said: “The clock is ticking for the private rented sector to improve its environmental performance but the investment just isn’t there to ensure that this change takes place in the Government’s timeframe.
“ARLA has campaigned for the Government to incentivise – through tax relief – the improvement of rental properties. Otherwise it is going to be exceedingly difficult for the majority of landlords to find the funds to improve stock.”
While the Green Deal will offer landlords upfront access to funds, it is tenants, as users of the properties, who will have to repay the loan.
The survey questioned more than 1,500 landlords.
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