SmartBlog ~ How Are You Coping With MEES

It’s been a few weeks since MEES regulation came into force, how is it going for you?

As you know MEES regulations mean that from April 2018 a property with a rating within the F or G band can no longer be rented nor can a tenancy be renewed. At first glance it often seems quite a daunting task to bring a property up into the E band and better, best advice is to tackle the basic improvements first like adding extra controls to heating, typically you might ensure that a wet heating system has a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves (trv), you might also fit low energy light fittings to all standard fittings.

Fitting some of the other improvements can prove costly and difficult to fit, however when one considers this against a property being void with no possibility of realising its value within the rental market. There are some subsidies still available under ECO for tenants who are in receipt of universal credit, those who qualify can have cavity wall insulation, wet gas fired condensing boiler, loft insulation or internal/external wall insulation part funded. To apply landlords need to give their tenant(s) permission and the tenant is assessed against a complex set of criteria, contact the Energy Saving Trust advice service on 0300 123 1234.For those properties that are not eligible for improvements under ECO the landlord must make a careful assessment of the EPC and consider:

1. When was the EPC produced, an older style EPC may produce different results if a new EPC was carried out. This is because conventions have changed since the EPC was first produced and also other subtle elements of the assessment, this does not mean that an older style EPC is incorrect, it is just that things have changed within the industry that may affect the ratings which could work to the property’s advantage.
2. Before fitting an improvement seek professional advice, to make sure that you will achieve the up lift in ratings required. You might contact the assessor who completed the original assessment, their details will be as noted on the EPC, we are happy to provide free impartial advice whenever required.
3. For more greater certainty it might be advisable to attend the property and produce a draft of the EPC, the rating with a nominated improvement fitted can then be more accurately predicted, before the decision to fit is made, the EPC can then be properly processed once improvement has been installed. A second visit will be required post install for the EPC is processed. Please click – contact us to request an appointment or call 07538 840396.
4. Lastly when you commission an EPC and the rating is low, do not blame the assessor, one of the purposes of energy ratings is to encourage improvements as recommended and possibly which will exceed recommendations. Seize the opportunity to make your property as efficient as possible, the savings are tangible, the property will be more comfortable to live in and also provide real savings on utility bills.

Creative Green Energy

Provides a range of services to landlords and the private rental sector:

~ EPC
~ Legionella Risk Assessment
~ Inventory
~ Check-In
~ HHRS Risk Assessments
~ Gas Safety Checks
~ Electrical Installation Condition Check

Please click – contact us to request an appointment or call 07538 840396 for more information