Two in five homes rate average on energy performance

News Category: Marketing

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A Halifax Estate Agents study has found that two in five homes in England and Wales rate 'average' on their energy performance.

The survey, which covered 85 authorities between October 2007 and September 2008, found that 44 per cent of homes' energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings fell into band D.

Basic energy saving measures could move 58 per cent of homes in England and Wales up to a band C rating, the study predicted.

Since October, landlords and agents have been required to provide EPCs on rented accommodation for potential tenants.

The figures suggest that rented accommodation owners who invest in property improvements to increase their energy-efficiency rating might move ahead of their competitors in terms of securing tenancy agreements.

Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax Estate Agents, said: "Better loft and cavity insulation would raise the energy efficiency rating of a home."

According to the Association of Residential Letting Agents' annual review of the private rented sector published this month, three quarters of all landlords are waiting for their next tenancy change before acquiring their EPC.

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