Landlords who make energy efficiency upgrades to their properties but do not arrange new EPC assessments could be missing out on lower green mortgage rates, new research from Paragon Bank suggests.
A survey of over 500 landlords found that 57% had not commissioned a new EPC assessment after completing energy efficiency improvements. This means a significant proportion could be missing out on preferential mortgage rates available for properties with EPC ratings of A-C.
The research, published in Paragon’s Improving standards and sustainability in PRS properties report, also found that 28% of landlords had their properties reassessed after making upgrades, leading to improved EPC ratings. Fourteen percent found their properties’ EPC ratings stayed the same following upgrades.
Separate research by Pegasus Insight on behalf of Paragon Bank found that six in ten landlords own a property with an EPC rating of D, and a quarter own a property rated E, F or G. The survey of nearly 900 landlords revealed that just under half (48%) of the average landlord’s portfolio does not meet an EPC rating of C or above, the new standard proposed under the government’s consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector (PRS).
Louisa Sedgwick, managing director of mortgages at Paragon Bank, said: “We were one of the first lenders to launch green mortgages, offering lower rates for properties with EPC ratings of A-C, incentivising landlords to purchase homes with better energy efficiency. These rates are also available on remortgages so we’d encourage landlords to reassess their properties following any energy focused upgrades because they could be eligible to take advantage of lower pricing.”
Sedgwick added: “This research aligns with government data highlighting how millions of properties will need to be upgraded to meet the proposed new minimum energy efficiency standards. As a result, we believe the 2030 target for all rental properties is unrealistic and could exacerbate the undersupply of homes for tenants.
“We’ve responded to the Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes consultation, calling on the government to abandon its 2030 target and instead adopt a phased implementation between 2030 and 2035.”
