Landlords & Tenants

Landlords are responsible for ensuring their property meets minimum energy efficiency standards to provide a comfortable and safe home for tenants and to protect their investment. Retrofitting can address issues like damp, poor ventilation, and inefficient heating systems. It can also put landlords at the forefront as forward-thinking and attract more tenants. Retrofit West can help landlords future-proof their investment and advise on the best measures. Tenants can benefit from energy efficiency improvements, and some may be eligible for grant funding or financial support.

Landlords

As a landlord, ensuring your property meets the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) with a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E is essential. This not only provides a comfortable home for your tenants but also contributes to environmental conservation. Inefficient properties can lead to long-term asset damage, hindering your investment returns.

Energy regulations are constantly evolving, and properties with better energy efficiency are better positioned to meet these requirements. Retrofitting your property can address various issues such as damp, poor ventilation, and inefficient heating systems, fulfilling your obligations as a landlord.

Apart from fulfilling your legal requirements, retrofitting makes you a forward-thinking landlord who prioritizes tenant comfort and investment returns, leading to reduced voids and more tenant interest.

We Can Help:

Our “whole house” approach provides advice on how to meet higher standards without compromising future improvements, tailored to fit your budget. We can assist you throughout your retrofit journey, from start to finish, and make use of our accredited suppliers. Partner with us for a more energy-efficient property and attract more potential tenants while safeguarding your investment.

Use our homeowner hub to see what measures could benefit you and your tenants.

No Use Empty

Bath and North East Somerset Council have launched the ‘No Use Empty’ scheme. This is a pilot for empty homes in the BANES area, where owners of unoccupied properties will receive grants of up to £500.00 from the council, on application.

“Empty houses are wasted homes, so we are working with local property owners to bring empty property back into use for the benefit of our communities.”

Find out More

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Tenants

Landlords in the UK have been required by law since 2018 to meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard of at least an EPC band E for their properties before renting to a new tenant. Since 1 April 2020, this requirement also applied to renew existing tenancies. Understanding these requirements and areas where your property could benefit from improvements, will help you communicate the issue(s) to your landlord.

You can find your EPC here: Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you feel your property could benefit from energy efficiency improvements, you should recommend your landlord to get in touch with us at Retrofit West for free advice.

Some tenants may be eligible for grant funding or financial support, to help improve their home.

There are different criteria for different types of funding. These can relate to your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, where you live, how much income you have, or what type of heating you have (or a combination of these).

You may be eligible if you are on income-related benefits, have long-term health conditions, or your EPC is below the required level. If this applies you can contact the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s advice line: 0800 038 6345.