CKD Galbraith's specialist lettings department has worked with a number of landlords prior to marketing their property, to help establish energy efficiency improvements.
Every rental property requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) highlighting its energy efficiency and environmental impact ratings, as well as providing suggestions on cost effective improvements.
The Green Deal Cashback Scheme (1) launched by the Scottish Government aims to incentivise landlords to make energy efficiency improvements throughout their properties. The grants are limited and on a first come first served basis.
The scheme is offering a cashback incentive scheme towards energy efficiency measures that are recommended in the Green Deal assessment - up to £1,200 is available towards energy efficiency measures including up to £500 towards insulation measures, up to £400 for a boiler and up to £300 for additional measures including for example improvements to glazing, LED lighting and heating controls.
There are some 45 measures of improvements which have been approved to receive funding under the scheme. Some of the most common 'green' measures that can be made to residential properties include insulation, heating and hot water, glazing and microgeneration whereby the property generates its own energy source.
Shirley Kenyon, lettings manager at CKD Galbraith said:
"As a firm we have been working closely with landlords advising them on many energy efficiency improvements they can make to their rental properties as well as outlining the grant schemes available. A popular efficiency measure that landlords are implementing through the cashback voucher scheme is the installation of a new boiler to replace an old inefficient gas boiler, as well as taking advantage of free loft insulation offers, both of which greatly contribute towards fuel bill efficiencies in the long term.
We have noticed an increase in the number of potential tenants enquiring about the energy efficiency of a home before they sign any rental agreement - as ultimately their priority is low monthly utility costs. Green improvements benefit both landlords and tenants as properties are far more appealing in terms of lower monthly fuel costs for tenants and therefore landlords are offering an attractive rental prospect."
