Tenants Want Sustainable Properties. Investors May Need to Listen

With climate change becoming a pressing public concern, sustainability and carbon footprint are becoming increasingly relevant topics in the property market. The UK government has established policies to make the property investment sector sustainable but now, demand for eco-friendly properties is growing from the side of the tenants.  Here is what they say according to a recent research.

Why Are Tenants Requesting Sustainable Properties?

An independent research company conducted a study with a panel of 200 property investors across the UK in March 2024 and found that almost 100% of the buy-to-let tenants requested for sustainable features in the properties in the past 12 months. Also, 92% of tenants asked for features like solar power, EV chargers, heat pumps and more.

Additionally, three in five tenants, which is 58% of the tenants, requested to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C. This data appears to rise to 88% of tenants in London in the midst of high energy costs.

What Are the Policies for Sustainability in Property Investment?

The current regulations in the UK require that properties have an EPC rating of E before being let out to tenants. This applies to all properties, including commercial and residential properties. The government had previously planned to maintain an EPC rating of C for existing rentals by 2028. However, the plan was scrapped in September of last year.

Due to this policy not going forward, a quarter of the investors disregarded their plans to invest for an EPC rating of C. However, 44% of investors are continuing with this plan. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer published his plan for “Making Britain a clean energy superpower” in June this year. Following the Labour win now,  tenants may get their needs for greener homes fulfilled.

Labour has plans to upgrade 19 million cold homes by the year 2030. This helps to reduce energy waste and build cleaner neighbourhoods with lower household bills.

Conclusion

A recent survey conducted among property investors displayed tenants’ interest in sustainable and greener rentals. The tenants are requesting an EPC rating of at least a C. Many property investors have plans to take their buy-to-let properties to an EPC rating of C. Also, with Labour winning the general election, the tenant’s and investors’ need for sustainable properties can be fulfilled.