Taylor Scott International News
Over half of UK tenants claim their rental property is cold and draughty and 58% say their landlords has refused to make energy efficiency improvements, a new poll shows. Since the beginning of April 2016 tenants living in F and G rated homes have been able to request improvements, such as more insulation and landlords are legally bound to bring the property up to the minimum of EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) E rating. Under the new legislation, if a tenant requests a more efficient home and the landlord fails to comply, the landlord could ultimately be forced to pay a penalty notice. The survey, conducted by online letting agent PropertyLetByUs, found that seven out of 10 tenants have indeed made requests to their landlord to make improvements to the property but over half have been refused. The survey also found that 76% of tenants claim the property they rent has an old gas boiler, which is unreliable and 48% say their property does not have double glazing. According to data from the European Union it is estimated that over 10 million British families live in a home with a leaking roof, damp walls or rotting windows. Damp, condensation and mould is a big problem in many rental properties as a result of older, single glazed homes. Jane Morris, managing director of PropertyLetByUs, said it is very disappointing to see that so many tenants have been refused when they have requested their landlords make improvements to the property. ‘Landlords that are trying to rent cold, draughty and damp accommodation should immediately start improving their properties. Otherwise, they could be falling foul of the legislation that requires them to bring their properties up to an E rating,’ she explained. ‘It is estimated that around one million tenants are paying as much as £1,000 a year more for heating than the average annual bill of £1,265. These excessive costs are mainly down to poorly insulated homes, many of which are thought to be the oldest and leakiest rental properties in Europe,’ she pointed out. ‘Landlords that are currently renting out F and G rated properties should be looking at the improvements they can make and researching costs and available help, through the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) or Home Energy Scotland,’ she added. Taylor Scott International
Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott
