A new study claims 35 per cent of landlords are not aware if their letting properties meet the lowest energy compliance standards, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

ARLA also revealed another 17 per cent of landlords believe their properties would fail the energy ratings test which would disqualify them from letting under proposed Green Deal.

Under the scheme, rental homes that fail to match the minimum grade from 2018 will be banned from letting until energy efficiency is upgraded.

The government’s Green Deal will offer landlords loans to spend on making their rental properties more energy efficient from next year.

Meanwhile, ARLA is calling for more tax breaks and financial incentives to encourage landlords to carry out green initiatives on their properties.

Ian Potter, ARLA’s operations manager, said: “The clock is ticking for the landlords to improve 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.”

Some landlords feel that tenants might give their properties a miss when they realise that they may pay higher energy bills to fund Green Deal improvements.

“The issues of fuel poverty among too many households has been raised again as we approach winter,” said Potter. “We urge the government to ensure that the Green Deal is an effective solution to the crisis we will face unless the energy efficiency standards in housing stock can be improved.”

Landlords can find out the green rating of their rental properties from the energy performance certificate (EPC).

To discuss your properties and what can be done to make them more energy efficient contact our experts today on 0118 955 9712

Source-UKLandlordnews.co.uk