If you are a landlord, you need to be aware of the new regulations with a deadline in 2025.

As the government has their target to reduce carbon emissions to be net-zero by 2050, new requirement has been introduced to make all let properties energy efficient.

By the end of 2025, for all new tenancies in the UK, it will be a legal requirement that let properties have EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C or above. All existing lets will need to achieve this by 2028.

There is still time to prepare for this move as many older properties that now only need to be at least EPC rating E, will need to be upgraded. These upgrades might cost landlords thousands of £s.

Should this requirement not be met by the deadline, landlord will not be able to let legally and they could be penalised with up to £30000 fine.

The EPC is a certificate specifically assessing how energy efficient the property is. The assessment to grade the property, needs a special inspection arranged. The grading is A to G, with A given for the most energy efficient properties. The certificate is valid for 10 years. If it expires, landlord will be required to have a new inspection to obtain a new EPC.

Some properties might be exempt from new EPC requirements though.

Could you qualify for a Green Mortgage Deal?

As we advise clients daily on the most suitable mortgage deals, we notice more and more so called ‘green mortgage deals’. What are they then and could you qualify for one?

With our country facing a cost-of-living crisis and many of us looking for ways to save up, these types of deals are becoming more and more popular.

Green mortgage deals are typically available for properties with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of either A, B or C and they usually offer a better dea/lower interest rate. Green deals can be used for both home purchase as well as re-mortgage.

Another benefit of having an energy efficient home is that generally it should cost you less in bills so promoting ‘green’ should be even more important nowadays.

The trouble is, that many customers don’t even know where to check their house’s EPC so they may not realise that a ‘green deal’ could be for them.

There comes a challenge however, if your home does not prove to be energy efficient, because the work that would need to be done to improve the EPC turns out to be quite expensive for many home owners.

If you are looking for the most suitable product for you, best thing to do is to speak to a broker to help you arrange your purchase or remortgage.

We are happy to help with your enquiries.

How can a broker help with the reality of rising cost of living?

With energy bills increasing drastically, inflation on the jump, mortgage interest rates going up as well as other things like national insurance contributions or council tax bills expected to increase , what can we do to help our customers?

As lenders are changing their approach to reflect the economic situation, many buyers will find that they no longer can get the mortgage they hoped for . Because a broker can check affordability stretches of many lenders at once, and as we know the nuances of borrowing, we can advise you which lender will be the most generous so you can still buy the house you want.

Many households will be struggling to find surplus cash to cover everyday expenditures, some customers might benefit from advice on debt consolidation. This way, they will get rid of debts and free some cashflow. We would advise to speak to a broker to see if it is really the best option.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial to have your income protected in case you are not able to work. Income protection insurance is an absolute must when households’ bills are going to be even more expensive. How would you cope if you only received the Statutory Sick Pay? How would you manage to pay the bills and feed your family? Speak to a broker about Income Protection.

We are here to help you with any questions you have.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your property. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.