Do you own a domestic private rented property with an energy efficiency rating of F or G? Did you know that it is unlawful to let such a property unless an exemption has been registered with the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemption Register? This is according to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations that determine the minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties to be let. Currently the minimum energy efficiency rating is E Band, but this will increase to C Band by 2026. The MEES Regulations apply to all domestic private rented properties that are let on specific types of tenancy agreements as well as those legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC is a legally valid document which lets you know how energy efficient a property is (displayed on a scale from A to G) in relation to its running costs. What is an EPC? Enforced by local authorities, failing to comply with MEES Regulations may lead to the issuing of a compliance notice, followed by a hefty financial penalty up to 18 months after the breach has taken place. The Seven Private Sector Rental (PRS) Exemptions There are seven PRS Exemptions to MEES Regulations that landlords of domestic private rented properties may apply for if the property in question meets the requirements for any of the exemptions and the landlord is able to provide supporting documentation. Each exemption is valid for five years, unless otherwise stated. To register an exemption, the landlord must provide: The address of the property The type of exemption being registered A copy of a valid EPC for the property All supporting documents that prove the property meets the requirements Vibrant Energy Matters’ Technical Resolution Manager, Carol McKeown sheds some light on the list of exemptions. 1. High-Cost Exemption If the cost of installing even the cheapest recommended measure to improve the property’s energy rating to E Band exceeds the government determined £3,500 spending cap, a landlord can register a high-cost exemption. “You will require three quotes from qualified installers and written confirmation stating that the install would exceed the cost of £3,500 would be required in order to apply for this exemption.” says McKeown. “When the five year exemption expires, as a landlord you would have to try again to improve the property’s EPC rating to E. If it’s still not viable, then you would have to register another exemption.” 2. Third Party Exemption McKeown says a landlord would be able to apply for this exemption if, for example ​The freeholder refuses access to install the recommended improvements The tenant refuses entry to install improvements The Planning Department refuses to allow the improvements Consent is given by a third party but with unreasonable conditions. This exemption lasts for five years, or until the tenancy of the tenant that refuses entry to install improvements comes to an end or is assigned to a new tenant. The landlord will have to supply documentation or copies of correspondence that demonstrate refusal or that permission was granted, but subject to conditions that are unreasonable to comply with. 3. Property Devaluation Exemption “ A Landlord would be able to apply for this exemption if evidence can be provided that making the energy efficiency improvements would devalue the property by more than 5% if they were installed. For example installing wall or floor insulation in a property with known issues of damp,” she said. Important to note, as per the UK government’s guidelines for the regulations and exemptions ( www.gov.uk ), the evidence report for this would need to be obtained from an independent surveyor that is on the the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) of register of valuers. 4. 7 Year Payback Exemption The seven year payback exemption applies when an independent energy assessor finds that the savings on energy cost over seven years will be less than the amount spent on an upgrade, or that all cost-effective energy efficiency improvements have been made. McKeown said the typical costs to install internal or external wall insulation is between £4,000 – £14,000, while the typical yearly saving is estimated £4,081 (£583 x 7 years). “Therefore, if the cheapest quote to install internal wall insulation in this property was £4,000, then the landlord would not qualify for the exemption. However, if the cheapest quote was £10,000, then the landlord would qualify for the exemption,” she said. 5. All Improvements Made Exemption If a landlord has made all the recommended energy efficiency improvements and the property still has a rating of F or G, then an all improvements made exemption can be registered with the PRS Exemption Register . Once again, the landlord would have to provide supporting documents to show that the required improvements have been made. 6. New Landlord Exemption McKeown comments that the keyword here is “temporary”. The temporary six month exemption exists to afford a new landlord an opportunity to assess the property’s energy efficiency by means of an EPC and then register the relevant exemption if necessary. The exemption registered after expiration of the new landlord exemption will last for five years unless otherwise stated. 7. Wall Insulation Exemption If the only improvements that can be recommended for a property are cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, or internal wall insulation and an expert has advised the landlord in writing that any of these improvements would negatively affect the fabric or structure of the building, a wall insulation exemption can be registered. McKeown said the landlord would need to supply a copy of this written report stating that the recommended wall insulation would damage the property and the property therefore cannot be improved to an EPC E Band. The landlord can cancel the exemption if he or she improves the property to E Band or stops letting it. Submitting the necessary documents for you selected PRS Exemption Vibrant can provide landlords with guidance on the RPS Exemption Registration, acquiring an EPC Certificate for a property as well as the three quotes required to meet the desired property rating. With the admin taken care of, saving time and money, its one step closer to letting out a property. Contact us for more information.

Improving energy efficiency of properties can benefit landlords in many ways, including legal compliance, cost savings, increased demand, environmental stability and tenant satisfaction. Here’s why: Legal requirements It has been proposed that Landlords should be legally required to ensure that their properties meet certain energy efficiency standards. Part of the proposal is that from April 2026, it will be illegal for landlords to rent out a property with and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of less than Band C, unless an exemption applies. Cost savings Improving the energy efficiency of a property can lead to significant cost savings for both the landlord and the tenant. This is because energy-efficient properties require less energy to heat and power them, resulting in lower energy bills. Increased demand Properties with higher energy efficiency ratings are likely to be more attractive to tenants, as they offer lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment. This can help to increase the demand for the property and reduce void periods. Environmental benefits Improving the energy efficiency of a property can help to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the fight against climate change. Landlords have a responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future. Better living conditions A property that is well-insulated and has efficient heating and lighting systems can provide a more comfortable loving environment for tenants. This can lead to better tenant satisfaction and retention, reducing turnover and associated costs. What is MEES? MEES, or Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards is a set of government instituted guidelines for landlords of domestic private rented properties to bring their properties’ EPC Band in line with the minimum legal requirement. The new changes to the MEES regulations may seem overwhelming at first, but there’s no reason to be alarmed because landlords can apply for exemptions if they have the correct documentation in place. These exemptions include: High Cost Exemption Devaluation Exemption 7 Year Payback Exemption Consent Exemption All Improvements Made Exemption New Landlord Exemption Wall Insulation Exemption Landlord exemption criteria Each of these exemptions carries their own set of criteria that a property must meet to qualify, and all exemptions last for five years, except when stated less. To apply for an exemption, the property is legally obligated to have a valid EPC and the landlord must register the exemption with the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemption Register before it can be depended on. What is an EPC? An EPC F or G rated property that is not covered by the MEES Regulations, will not require an exemption and a property that has been upgraded to a minimum of EPC E, will not need to be registered on the Exemptions Register. However, if an exempted property is sold or otherwise transferred, the exemption dissolves and the new owner would need to upgrade the property’s energy efficiency or register a new exemption, should they wish to let the property. Why not let us help you with an updated EPC? The Vibrant approach to EPCs is focused on three key elements which will assist landlords in their submission of compliance for their specified exemption. Providing accurate data and recommendations. Providing as many funding options as possible. Having a first-class, reliable supply chain to get the job done. Find out more

The UK government’s zero-carbon housing policy came about in the early 2000s and plays a central role in the UK achieving carbon net zero by 2050. The shift towards net zero or carbon neutrality (a planet that extracts the same amount of carbon dioxide as it releases into the atmosphere or eliminates it from society completely,) emerged at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015 when world leaders signed the historic Paris Agreement, a long-term an international treaty to fight climate change. Homes are the third largest source of carbon emissions in the UK, contributing 22% of total emissions. As one of the signatories of the Paris Agreement, the UK is legally obligated to follow through on the environmental commitment it made. But the Paris Agreement wasn’t the genesis of the UK’s action on climate change; the UK government’s first steps towards carbon neutrality date as far back as 2002. Energy Efficiency Regulation Timelines Here is a brief timeline of government regulatory changes in the housing sector in terms of carbon emissions from 2022 (Inside Housing, 24 April 2020, Green building in the UK: a timeline ) and current government projections up to 2035: 2022 EPC Audit improvements for improved CPD requirements and published EPC portfolio data by lenders. 2023  Possible mandatory disclosure requirement for all lenders to report on EPC bands across their portfolio. 2026   Private rented accommodation to be a minimum Band C by 2026 for new lets (up from E and exemption threshold increased from £3,000 to £10,000). 2028  Private rented accommodation to be a minimum Band C by 2028 for all lets (up from E and exemption thresholds increased from £3,000 to £,10,000). 2030 All lenders’ portfolios to be an average Band C by 2030. 2035 All owner occupied as well as all social housing to be a minimum Band C by 2035. Why the drive for energy efficiency regulatory changes? In addition to government’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, economic indicators are also driving regulatory changes. With more than 52% of homes in England built before 1965, and close on 20% pre-dating 1919, the UK has some of the oldest, least energy efficient housing stock in Europe (The Guardian, 11 September 2022, UK must insulate homes or face a worse energy crisis in 2023, say experts) . Our houses are responsible for one third of our total gas use, partly because these old houses leak a lot of heat – up to three times as much as Germany, which increases the demand for gas to heat homes. Experts have warned late last year that the UK’s energy crisis will deepen in a year’s time if we don’t upgrade leaky homes immediately and significantly reduce the demand for gas (The Guardian, 11 September 2022, UK must insulate homes or face a worse energy crisis in 2023, say experts). The article further states that because cutting heat loss is more effective in the long run than subsidising bills, there is no way around it; the UK must insulate its homes. Vibrant’s approach to drive energy efficiency in the UK The Vibrant approach is focused on three key elements which are all required to execute the green homes agenda: Providing accurate data and recommendations. Providing as many funding options as possible. Having a first-class, reliable supply chain to get the job done. The EPC Plus Home Energy Report provides a full one-stop service from advice to execution, eliminating the headache of dealing with and keeping an eye on multiple contractors. As an independent company, staffed by experts, your customers, deal with real people (not robots) who will guide and assist you through your journey towards making the right decisions. Demo the EPC Plus Home Energy Report Why Vibrant? We have access to a full and fully vetted UK wide supply chain and having delivered more than two million EPCs and counting, we have been tried and are trusted far and wide. We know that affordability matters, so we make it a priority to keep our price point in line with standard EPC prices: Contact us

Following the launch of Vibrant’s first-of-its-kind EPC+ offering, Connells Group confirms that it is the first property services company to roll out the new offering to customers and clients across its entire sales and lettings network. * In line with Connells Group’s own environmental commitments, and in response to growing demand for homes to be more energy-saving, the EPC+ Report provides homeowners, sellers and landlords with better understanding of their property’s impact on the environment, how they can achieve better energy efficiency and, ultimately, how they can make ‘greener’ choices. Alongside its environmental benefits, the report provides customers with clear, achievable options to save on their bills and add value to their homes. The report from Vibrant is the first of its kind in the housing industry, detailing a property’s current and potential EPC rating, the CO2 produced by the property each year and the CO2 savings that could be achieved. It also drills down to finer details, including what improvements are recommended to achieve a higher rating, how much they will cost and how much bills could reduce as a result, as well as information on various sources of funding that may be available. Commenting on Vibrant’s new EPC+ product, Connells Group’s Chief Estate Agency Executive, David Plumtree, says, “We’re proud to be the first to blanket adopt Vibrant’s market-leading EPC+, which we believe offers great benefits to our customers and for which there is considerable demand. At a time when environmental issues and the cost of living are affecting so many, we are committed to prioritising the needs of our customers and our planet. By offering the EPC+ service through our national branch network, we are able to reach a larger proportion of the population than any other property business, and we’re confident that our customers will reap the long-term benefits of this new offering.” Dan Kittow, Managing Director at Vibrant – Your Property Partner, adds, “The increased attention on improving the performance of the UK housing stock means that in the coming years landlords and homeowners will be under greater pressure to make improvements that will bring down energy usage. Our EPC Plus Service will provide them with a complete overview of the current performance alongside clear and targeted recommendations, allowing proactive improvement and management of each property.” For further information, please contact the Vibrant Team on  hi@vem.co.uk. Issued by Connells Group, September 2022.

PropTech – Is the property industry finally getting its head around the digital innovation buzzword? After a year of development, Vibrant is launching Homex: A new PropTech app that enables landlords, lettings agents, property service managers, and Inventory Assessors to create paper-free property inventories quickly and in high definition. But what does the term PropTech actually mean? Between 5–7th September, Australia is hosting the ‘PropTech Summit 2018’, “Where technology and investment converge to transform the future of property”. It’s probably fair to say that most property businesses believe they understand PropTech, or ‘property technology’, and have adopted it with gusto. But is this really the case? Being PropTech savvy isn’t just about having a slick mobile-friendly website, delivering ‘value-led content’ across social channels, utilising Search Engine Marketing, or even placing your business completely online. The PropTech Summit explains that “a new generation of property-tech (PropTech) entrepreneurs have emerged offering innovative new ways to buy, sell, lease, finance and manage property”, and describes PropTech as “technology that is aimed at the real estate industry and attempts to change the way we buy, sell, finance and manage property.” Investment in PropTech companies is set to reach $20 billion by 2020, a claim apparently made by KPMG and Taronga Group’s investment arm, Real Tech Ventures. RICS defines PropTech as referring to “all aspects of innovation and how it impacts the built environment. This may include software, hardware, materials or manufacturing. PropTech is a general all-encompassing term, but is often used to specifically refer to the small start-ups that are using technology to address market problems. ” Familiar terms include ‘Cloud Computing’, which is attributed to data being hosted and stored across the internet on remote servers for the purpose of processing, sharing, and managing data. Many of us may use Microsoft or Apple cloud services to back-up our computer data. ’Platform as a Service’ (PaaS) digital solutions utilise cloud computing to allow users to access, manage and develop services via the internet. While, ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) is a cloud-based service hosted remotely that enables users and consumers to utilise benefit-led software solutions over the internet. The PropTech movement is about developing or adopting bespoke and innovative technological solutions that augment and automate business across the property sector. It’s about embracing all that the digital environment has to offer, thinking laterally, and being at the cutting edge of technological advancements. An innovative property company, for example, would be capitalising on VR (Virtual Reality) PropTech to augment their sales and lettings business. This movement is something that we understand and are embracing with a deep sense of enthusiasm, excitement, and commitment. What is the Homex PropTech? Developed by the UK’s leading property services company, Vibrant, Homex is a true evidence-based SaaS digital solution that allows you to capture the highest quality photographs and panoramic images for outstanding visibility. A zoom option allows you to review a property’s condition in detail, and an exclusive ‘Hotspot’ feature enables the user to catalogue and highlight damage and issues to help minimise landlord/tenant disputes. No more cumbersome 80-page plus paper-based inventories. No more stationery and printing costs. No more administration headaches and file storage. Just simple cloud computing, information sharing and data management. Homex is a PropTech that’s bringing inventories into the 21st century. For more information and to request a demo, email us at:  hello@homex.tech Or click to visit our  You Tube channel.