An energy-efficient light at the end of the tunnel

A recent study conducted on behalf of GetGround has found that high inflation is triggering a significant change in the way that landlords interact with their tenants.

The investigation, which surveyed hundreds of landlords across the UK during February 2022, revealed that a large proportion are looking to mitigate the impact of high inflation on their investments by committing to energy upgrades in their existing rental properties.

Fewer landlords are looking to make investments in new builds and other energy-efficient properties to reduce that effect.

TENANTS BENEFIT FROM NEW EPC RULES

New government rules state that by 2028 all rental property must have achieved an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of grade C or higher. Asked their view on these new regulations in the context of rising inflation, more than 4 in 5 (82%) respondents agreed that the rules will help reduce the impact of high energy costs on families who rent.

With the annual cost of energy set to increase by an average of £700 per household, the study also found that more than 2 in 3 landlords (69%) feel a responsibility to help their tenants mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis on their lives.

INFLATION V EXPANSION

Over a third (34%) believe that making energy efficiency upgrades to their properties, thereby helping reduce tenants’ energy spend, goes some way to providing that support.

Half of all landlords intend to make upgrades to their rental property to achieve EPC ratings of grade C or above within the next 12 months. 19% will make the changes within the next six months. The remaining 31% will do it in 6 to 12 months. Less than 1 in 10 said they don’t intend to make any improvements until inflation is back under 5%, which isn’t expected to occur until 2023.

In spite of this, inflation isn’t changing the approach many landlords will take to expanding their property portfolios.