As part of Energy Saving Week, the National Landlords Association (NLA) has come up with five top tips to benefit landlords and tenants by making a rental property more energy efficient in the lead up to winter.
Top 5 tips on how landlords can help are:
• Install energy-saving light bulbs. It's one of the easiest ways to cut down on electricity usage as they use up to 80% less power. The bulbs also last longer, so don't have to be replaced as frequently.
• Check the loft insulation. It should be insulated to a minimum depth of 270mm to stop heat loss through the ceiling.
• Cavity wall and floor insulation is just as important. Ensure both are properly insulated to stop heat escaping.
• Fitting lagging to hot water pipes and tanks can significantly reduce heat loss, help reduce mould from condensation and stops pipes from freezing.
• Drafts can cause heat loss of up to 20%. This can be prevented by filling gaps between floorboards and skirting boards and draught proofing doors and windows.
Under the government's Landlords Energy Saving Allowance, landlords can benefit from tax concessions of up to £1,500 per year per property to help with the purchase and installation of insulation and draft proofing.
The government is also planning to introduce a green loan scheme which would cover the costs of energy efficiency improvements to properties, with the money paid back over 25 years through utility bills. This would be offset by the money saved through reduced energy consumption as a result of the improvements.
