A lot can happen in a week right now, and this week is no exception where we have had Labour’s first budget in 14 years.
How has this impacted the housing news as we end this week, and let’s see what else has caught the eyes of our Landlord Law team this week.
No EPC grants for Welsh landlords
There has been a very disconcerted view this week in Wales as the Welsh Government announced a £70million scheme for houses to upgrade their EPC ratings and drive for net-zero emissions by 2030, but sadly it excludes all properties within the private rented sector.
Propertymark has criticised this decision as ‘disappointing’. A spokesperson said
Without providing private landlords with incentives and access to sustained funding, it is unlikely that private rented sector energy-efficiency targets and a reduction in emissions across the property sector will be met.
Propertmark approached the company who are administering the Green Homes Wales scheme, who had said that they may extend it to landlords in due course.
Let’s hope they do!
Single renters struggling to afford renting
A survey by Go.Compare claims that 65% of Britain’s average rental costs are above what is affordable for single renters. The average monthly rent is now £1,286 compared to £1,019 in 2019.
Some areas such as Brighton and Hove now require an annual salary of £70,000 to be able to afford to rent in these areas, whilst Dumfries and Galloway were much more affordable with an annual salary of £19,320 and monthly rents around £483.
Nathan Blackler from Go.Compare said
The huge differences in rental prices across Britain really highlight the urgent need for affordable housing solutions. While some areas are still within reach for renters, many renters are struggling to keep up with rising costs that far exceed their wages.
Online help for landlords improving their EPC ratings
Whilst there are still no government grants or assistance for helping landlords meet the EPC requirements of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, a company called Property Master, has just launched an online service, for free, that helps landlords develop a retrofit plan for specific improvements for their property.
Eco-Landlord, Which is currently in its pilot phase, is supported by the Department of Energy Security and New Zero’s Green Home Finance Accelerator, landlords can input their their current EPC rating and the AI-driven application then verifies this and comes up with a retrofit plan for improvements to that property.
It will also identify if there are any grants available and have a list of local installers and finance options.
Angus Stewart, CEO of Eco-Landlord said
By offering a comprehensive platform that consolidates everything from energy assessments to finding reliable installers and financing options, we aim to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
This is a start at least for landlords to help navigate the EPC maze.
Housing Benefit frozen for another year
The Labour government have announced this week that housing benefit for private renters has been frozen and will not rise for at least another year.
This will impact vulnerable renters. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation warns that private renters stand to lose an average of £700 per year. Local housing allowance rates for 2025/2026 will also be maintained at the 2024/2025 levels.
Chris Norris of the NRLA says
It makes no sense whatsoever to provide support for housing costs that bear no resemblance to rents as they actually are.
Coupled with tax hikes on the supply of homes to rent, announcements today will make it hardest of all for those claiming benefits to access and sustain tenancies in the rented sector.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have calculated that this freeze will put 80,000 renters (including 30,000 children) will be pushed into very deep poverty.
Shocking figures to say the least.
Snippets
Autumn Budget – A Halloween Horror Story
Agent sentenced after giving drugs gang keys to landlord’s flat
London council seeks views on its proposed selective licensing scheme
Rogue landlord to pay £7,000 after council raids properties
Landlord anger at housing benefit frozen for another year
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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