All landlords need to have an Energy Performance Certificate, EPC, for their rental property. Unless you have been granted an exemption, your rental property must hold a rating of E or higher to be eligible as rental accommodation.
There is a lot to be said for improving the standard of energy-efficiency in your rental property. Tenants are looking for an energy-efficient home while landlords benefit in the long term of making these upgrades. We are pleased to say we have helped many landlords present their rental property in an effective manner, and we know the market is looking for energy-efficient rental accommodation.
Here are some of the reasons why making these changes to your rental property is of benefit:
- More and more tenants are looking for a rental property with a strong energy rating – so if you can offer this style of home, you increase your available audience
- In a competitive and crowded marketplace, you need to differentiate your rental property from others – and making energy efficient upgrades allows you to achieve this
- With an energy-efficient rental property, you can be confident about offering a warm welcome to potential tenants
- An energy-efficient property will usually have lower energy bills, which is something all tenants benefit from
- With such a wide range of benefits on offer, it makes sense for landlords to ensure their rental property is up to a suitable standard.
It doesn’t cost a lot to improve the energy-efficiency of your rental property
It is perfectly natural for landlords to question whether they need to spend a lot of money improving the EPC rating of their property. Some of the methods that enhance your EPC are expensive, such as adding double glazing or upgrading your boiler.
The benefits and returns on offer from these changes are effective, and if you have the time and money, you can receive value for money in making these changes. However, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make these improvements to your rental property.
You can find cost effective solutions to improve the energy-efficiency rating of your property
Cost effective solutions which improve the energy-efficiency rating of your home include swapping out traditional light bulbs for more energy-efficient bulbs, installing loft insulation where applicable and filling any cracks or gaps in your window and door frames. You can also place draught excluders behind doors to provide added protection in these areas.
You should also consider investing in a thermostat, as this is a highly effective way of managing energy at the property. If you want to help tenants manage their energy consumption, this is a great feature, and one which will ensure tenants are drawn to your rental property.
Combining some of these tips will help you create a more energy-efficient rental property, which should aid you in connecting with tenants.
If you are a landlord and looking for property management tips and guidance, please contact SC Property Management today. We have a wide range of services aimed at helping you manage your property and enjoy success as a landlord.
