Property R


ural landlords have called on the government to ur- gently clarify its plans to


review minimum energy effi cien- cy standards (MEES) set to be in- troduced next year.


The Country Land and Busi-


ness Association – whose mem- bers provide 40% of all private rented rural housing – says time is running out to make crucial amendments to energy effi cien- cy rules set to come into force in the private rented sector. Minimum energy effi cien- cy standards mean that from 1 April 2018 it will be illegal for a private landlord to let a property with an energy performance cer- tifi cate (EPC) rating lower than E to a new tenant. The standards will apply to existing tenant from April 2020.


Regulations


But the government is yet to confi rm how it will amend the MEES regulations, which are still drafted as if supported by the Green Deal despite it being scrapped in 2015, leaving them unenforceable. In addition, it is still unclear whether those who own listed buildings or properties in conser- vation areas must comply. Resolv- ing the situation should be a pri- ority, says CLA deputy president and Cambridgeshire farmer Tim Breitmeyer.


“The industry has repeated- ly called on the government to revise the MEES regulations. Its failure to make any progress in two years since the Green Deal was scrapped is not good enough. With less than a year to go and the further delay of the gen- eral election, time looks to be run- ning out.


The Retro Fit-Up


Government energy policy is fail- ing older houses across the brit- ish countryside, says the Country Land and Business Association, whose members own and man-


68 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2017 Government proposals fail to account for traditional building techniques Landlords demand review of


energy efficiency standards • New standards to be introduced next year • Time ‘running out’ to make amendments • Clarity needed for landlords and tenants Mistakes


“In addition to the problems with the regulations, around one third of the homes set to be affected by MEES have been given lower EPC ratings than they deserve, due to mistakes in the way the govern- ment assesses the energy effi cien- cy of traditional solid wall build- ings.”


Although the government re-


cently consulted on fi xing these mistakes, there have since been no assurances these will be rectifi ed before the April 2018 deadline. Mr Breitmeyer says: “This has a neg-


age around 40% of the rural pri- vate rented sector. • Confusing and damaging gov- ernment policy is holding back necessary investment to make homes warmer across the coun- tryside. • The government’s assessment tool for dwellings – the Energy Performance Certifi cate – is fail-


ative impact on landlords, tenants and the government’s own policy objectives.”


The CLA supports the prin- ciples behind the MEES regu- lations but Mr Breitmeyer says there were so many errors, delays and uncertainties that it was al- most impossible to advise anyone on how to be proactive and ensure compliance. “Without the framework in place it is unjustifi able to ask landlords to act on the regula- tions when so much remains un- clear,” he adds.


ing to accurately refl ect the ener- gy effi ciency of traditionally built homes. • Without urgent reform, thou- sands of homeowners will contin- ue to be signposted toward retrofi t measures that are either inappro- priate or outright harmful to the structure and character of the building.


“This is having a negative impact on landlords


and tenants.” Tim Breitmeyer


• Strict rules that will ban land- lords from renting out properties with an energy rating below E from 1 April 2018 are poorly com- municated. • Without urgent action thou- sands of rented homes across rural England and Wales are at risk of becoming incorrectly il- legal to let. (Source: CLA)


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