The challenge
Rapidly rising energy prices over the last decade have put many tenants into fuel poverty and increased financial strain on tenants, making it more difficult to pay rent. At the same time, expectations of comfort levels in our homes have risen.
Rightmove’s Greener Homes report from 2023 found that :
- Landlords will increasingly shun properties with lower EPC ratings when building out their portfolios, and the uncertainty of impending legislation is making it tough for them to make decisions now
- A greener home continues to command an additional price premium on top of local house price growth, with an average of almost £56,000 more for homes that have improved from an EPC rating of F to a C
- There are signs that the energy bills surge has made more people, especially renters, aware of energy efficiency. One in five (19%) tenants say it will be a major factor when choosing a home
Period properties retrofitted to achieve modern standards of insulation (while preserving their character and beauty) make for happy tenants who are more able to pay the rent and remain in the property for longer.
Our services
Consultancy – Mitchell & Dickinson are pioneers in retrofitting thermal efficiency measures in period and listed properties and as such estates and landlords therefore benefit from our deep expertise and experience. We take a holistic approach to energy efficiency and can advise on the most effective whole building approach
Planning – We work with local conservation officers and planning departments on your behalf when ever required to ensure a smooth planning process for our estate customers
Tenant communications – Mitchell & Dickinson are able to manage all aspects of communications with your tenants to ensure that they understand the benefits they will gain from the investment you are making in their home, as well as the installation process. We will manage appointment setting with tenants for surveys, for installations, or for funding inspections, and we also collect feedback from tenants to establish the positive impact of the installed measures on their lifestyle, improved levels of comfort and warmth in the property and of course, the all important savings on heating costs
Post work inspections – when we have completed our installation we will accompany you to inspect the work, and to assess any maintenance requirements going forward to ensure thermal efficiency for windows, doors, lofts and sloping ceilings, and will provide you with a certificate of installation
EPC surveys – we can arrange EPC surveys on your behalf and help you interpret the results, and advise you on measures required to improve energy performance standards for your property further
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) came into force in April 2018 and require rented properties to have a minimum EPC rating of E. This is expected to rise to C in 2030.
For many old properties this means improving loft and sloping ceiling insulation, draught proofing, secondary glazing and sometimes heating systems, among other measures.
The UK has legally committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 2050 and this can only be achieved if Britain’s old housing stock is fully insulated.
The Solutions
Heat loss in a typical three bedroom detached house is shown as above.
Loft and sloping ceiling insulation, draught proofing and secondary glazing can save 40 – 50 per cent of heat loss in an older property. Case studies show tenants reporting greatly increased warmth and comfort with fuel bills reduced by half.
In terms of EPC ratings, the above insulation measures in some cases take properties from G rating up to the required E rating. In other cases, the addition of high heat retention storage radiators is necessary to reach E rating and sometimes D rating is achieved.
