New eco rules will affect every household in Salford

New eco-rules which will penalise energy guzzling properties are set to affect the Salford housing market.

Property owners will not be able to rent out energy inefficient homes by the end of 2028, and the same will apply to property sales by 2035.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that homeowners will have to foot a bill of around £10,000 for a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home.

Emily Utratny, letting manager at Peter Anthony Independent Estate Agent in Eccles Old Road, Salford, said the costs for landlords could be even higher.

She said: “I agree that the properties will be better if they are energy efficient but £15,000 will be a chunk if the landlord tries to sell.

“It depends on what the government will bring up. If for example you are not able to sell a house unless you have the certificates that will cause a little bit slow process; people may prefer to rent than buying a house.

“I would not be worried about it at the moment. It is in the long run.”

So far homeowners will have to cover the full cost of the re-modification from their own pockets. According to the Energy Saving Trust a typical heat pump system costs between £9,000 and £11,000 and radiators may also need to be replaced with larger ones.

The government has set a target of replacing 600,000 domestic boilers with heat pumps in the next seven years and under the new rules every home must achieve “C” rating for energy performance in the next 14 years.

Homes built before 1930s have solid walls which require internal or external insulation to reach the “C” target rating which will add to the cost.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been mandatory for anyone selling or renting a property since 2007.

Currently, landlords cannot let their properties if the EPC is below “E”. The Government has proposed to ban the letting of the properties below “C” rating by 2028.

The aim of the Government is to reach “net-zero” carbon emissions in the next 30 years. The scheme will help “decarbonize” home heating and reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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