If you were a student, your landlord is unlikely to have been your best friend. Too much ventilation in winter and too little in summer could have been amongst your complaints, together with excessive rent despite all that discomfort. But from yesterday, landlords in England and Wales are being forced to tackle two of these problems. The consequences for the third are less certain, but that’s for a different column in another place. All rented properties with new tenants must now have energy performance certificates (EPCs) telling prospective residents how green their potential home will be. Costs for heating, hot water and lighting will be shown on EPCs with tips for better energy efficiency. Top-notch certificates should make it easier to attract tenants and will reward action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Landlords could be fined if they have no certificate. The introduction of EPCs is part of Europe-wide action to cut emissions from buildings. Domestic energy accounts for 27 per cent of UK carbon emissions and it’s not just rented properties that are spewing out this harmful gas. The move coincides with UK legislation today requiring public buildings to be ranked for their energy efficiency. The RSPB believes better energy efficiency across the board would contribute much to efforts to combat climate change.
The government is currently aiming to cut UK emissions by 60 per cent but we believe only an 80 per cent cut will keep climate change within manageable limits. At last month’s Labour Party Conference, the Prime Minister suggested the government might soon agree. Improved energy efficiency – using greener fridges and washing machines, turning down the thermostat – would boost our chances of hitting that target yet on BBC Radio yesterday, landlords criticised the new EPC scheme because it fined them for non-compliance without requiring remedial action. We should not need sanctions to force us to cut our emissions. Climate change action is an obligation no matter how much or how little we care for the environment. Read more on the RSPB’s energy policy here http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/climatechange/solutions/makethecut.asp And find out about energy performance certificates here http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news1323.html
The Guardian reports on energy efficiency in public buildings here http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/02/carbonemissions.greenbuilding
This is all true, but the new legislation cannot force the landlord to do anything about any recommendations. That would really make a difference to people in rented property. It may not be our house, but it IS still our home!