"Greening" Rented Properties

The Government's Green Deal will encourage Landlords to take advantage of upfront financing to make their properties more energy efficient, where Tenants request improvements be made.

For those Landlords who don't comply however, the Government has stated that it may introduce regulations to force Landlords to improve their properties 2015.

The Government's aim is for all properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G to be improved beyond theat grading, which may be a significant challenge for older properties.

Some ideas for improving the energy efficiency of your property are:

• Insulation - Although the process of installing loft, floor or cavity wall insulation can be a disruptive especially if a Tenant is in residence but it is one of the most effective energy saving measures. If your property already has loft installation check the depth and quality the recommended thickness is between 250-300mm for optimum energy efficiency.
• Lag Water Pipes - By insulating your hot water tank and pipes you will retain hot water for longer and insulate pipes if you can – especially between the boiler and the hot water cylinder. If your tank has less than 75mm of insulation, you will save energy if you fit another jacket over the existing one, or replace it. You should insulate pipes in the loft to stop them freezing and bursting in the cold weather.
• Prevents Draughts - Landlords should seek to switch off, reducing heating bills.
• Install a thermostat on your boiler - Thermostats ensure that when a room reaches its optimum temperature, the heating is automatically switched off, thus reducing heating bills.
• Energy Saving Lightbulbs - Ensure that all light fittings have energy saving lightbulbs at the start of the tenancy.
• Communication -  Making Tenants are of the importance of energy efficiency and showing that as a Landlord you are committed to ensure the property is energy efficient may encourage Tenants to take their own steps to save energy.