Changes To Green Homes Grant Scheme Good For Landlords
We know life is challenging for landlords, and it often feels as though there is no positive news for letting industry professionals.
At Regal Estates, we are on your side. If you are looking for assistance or guidance in the Willesden rental market, or in the North West London rental market, we can help. We are highly experienced in this part of the capital’s rental market, and we are on hand to assist you, even during the latest lockdown period.
Not only do we know the local market well, we stay in touch with the latest market news.
Landlords need financial support
This is why we are pleased to hear many landlords have welcomed Government changes to the Green Homes Grant scheme. Anything which makes life easier for landlords and property installers in finding an installer is welcome.
One of the key announcements changed is that “subcontractors are no longer required to be TrustMark registered and PAS or MCS certified”. However, landlords should be aware that sub contracted work must still be undertaken in accordance with the “relevant PAS or MCS requirement” with respect to subcontracting.
The changes came into effect on Monday 4th January 2021. The changes are applicable to vouchers issues from the 4th January until further notice.
Meera Chindooroy, NRLA Deputy Director of Campaigns, said: “Monday’s announcement is good news for landlords. We have had an incredible amount of interest from our members following the Green Homes Grant announcement. However, we heard from a large proportion of members who said they were having huge problems finding local installers with capacity to carry out the work and this was causing a backlog. We fed these case studies back to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to highlight our concerns. We welcome the news of these changes and encourage landlords to make use of this important initiative.”
There are calls for further financial support for landlords
This move will be welcomed by NRLA who have campaigned for additional funding to be presented to landlords. There are pressing needs to comply with the legal minimum of energy efficiency measures which the Government has detailed for the private rental sector.
With the grants having been extended to March 2022, there is an opportunity for landlords to make changes and receive support. The amount of support on offer to landlords is £5,000 per rental property.
If you are a landlord with a number of properties on offer, this backing could make a difference in helping you improve your rental property.
The NRLA has long campaigned for further funding to be made available to help landlords to go above and beyond the legal minimum of energy efficiency measures set out by the Government for the PRS. With the grants, which were extended to March 2022, landlords will be able to claim up to £5,000 per rental property.
If you are interested in our lettings or property management services or you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent property in or around Willesden Green, Neasden, Dollis Hill, Park Royal, Kilburn or other areas within NW London call us on 020 8459 2530 and a member of our estate and letting agent team will be happy to help.
You don’t have the time to take care of everything
One of the things landlords should prepare themselves for is not having the time to manage everything. Even landlords with the best intentions often find they underestimated how challenging and time consuming the role is.
In addition to managing tenants, there is a considerable level of compliance matters to contend with. Also, the list of regulations is continually being added to and updated. At the end of 2020, there were more than 160 regulations for landlords to comply with! Ensuring your rental property is compliant isn’t a one-off matter; it is an ongoing thing.
You must provide tenants with a safe and secure rental accommodation. Your rental property must be gas safe, electrical safe, it must have the required number of smoke alarms, and if required, carbon monoxide alarms. Even matters like the furniture you provide, if applicable, has regulations, and we will ensure your rental property is compliant on every important issue.
If you are interested in our lettings or property management services or you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent property in or around North West London, call us on 020 8459 2530 and a member of our estate and letting agent team will be happy to help.