Industry News

Energy efficiency for landlords 'lacks clarity'

The requirement for landlords to meet a minimum energy performance standard for their properties, outlined in the Energy Act, lacks clarity, a report by businesses, NGOs and MPs has claimed.

Compiled by the Aldersgate Group, the report welcomes the new law for landlords, which will protect tenants and help them lower the cost of their energy bills, but stressed that there is a need for clarity on when it is implemented and on the market circumstances that would make landlords have a legal obligation to improve their properties.

The report highlights other areas as well, where the government has created high-level policy, but where there is a lack of regulatory detail, which could affect the success of building sustainable homes in the UK.

Peter Young, chairman of the Aldersgate Group, suggested that policy is "riddled with contradictions".

"Progress is faltering," he claimed, "for example we still await the entirely sensible mandating of operational energy ratings for commercial buildings.

"Improvements are needed in consistency, from policy quality, to measurement, to application, through to enforcement.”

The group reported that in 2010, 42 per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions came from the built environment, highlighting the need to make homes more energy efficient.

Posted by Emily Thomas

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For more information please see: Energy Act 2011