Insulating your rental property to ensure it meets the new EPC standard
Your responsibilities and legal obligations as a landlord
In Scotland, to let out a property to tenants you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Your EPC will tell prospective tenants the rating of your property which must be included when you advertise it for rent. Your EPC will outline how energy efficient your property is on a scale from A to G, which is reserved for the worst performing properties.
From 2025, any property marketed for rental must have an EPC rating of C or above. And all properties actively rented in the private sector must have an EPC rating of C or above by 2028. Landlords who don't comply with the EPC requirements in Scotland could be fined by their local authority.
Prior to letting your property you must first ensure that it meets certain standards - known as the Repairing Standard - which requires the property to be wind and watertight. The property must also be let in a 'Tolerable Standard' and fit to be habited, in relation to issues such as damp and ventilation.
Impact of tenants of poor insulation
Recently updated legislation from the Scottish Government requires landlords to make sure their rental properties are adequately wind- and water-tight, have good ventilation and no major damp issues. Persistent problems of this nature could not only lead to health problems for at risk tenants but equate to a lower Energy Performance Rating for your property and also higher energy bills.
Benefits of good insulation on energy efficiency and EPC rating
Insulating the roof, walls and floor of your rental property with Icynene spray foam will not only improve your property’s Energy Performance Rating (EPC) but could cut your tenant’s energy bills in half. Because you must declare the EPC rating when letting your property, insulating it to make it warmer, reducing draughts, could make it easier to rent, avoiding expensive empty periods between tenancies.
Insulating your rental property sufficiently could also combat noise pollution in buildings in busy or built up areas whilst also helping keep out airborne irritants which could trigger asthma and allergies, while the warm environment prevents the growth of mould.
Icynene spray foam insulation is not a source of food for rodents or termites and, as a solid material, is difficult to pass through or nest in, helping protect your property and tenants.
Speak to us today to discuss energy-efficient, eco-friendly insulation solutions for your property or building.
