News and Blog
What is ECO4?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government-backed initiative launched in 2013 aimed at improving energy efficiency in homes across the UK. The scheme provides funding for the installation of energy-efficiency measures in millions of homes across the country. These improvements include new heating systems, insulation, and upgraded glazing. ECO adopts both a fabric-first approach and a whole-house retrofit strategy to deliver a more complete upgrade of each home. The latest iteration of this scheme, ECO4, commenced in 2022 and is set to run until March 2026.
The Impact of ECO4
ECO4 is poised to make a significant impact on several fronts:
Reducing fossil fuel reliance
By funding energy-efficient upgrades, ECO4 helps households lower their dependency on fossil fuels, which in turn reduces the nation’s overall carbon footprint.
Combatting fuel poverty
Low-income households can receive funding for a number of energy upgrades, which will help reduce their energy bills. For instance, the scheme makes it possible for households to install insulation either for free or at a heavily discounted rate. Once installed, this insulation will help the home retain its heat, lessening the burden on the heating system and saving the household money on their heating bill. Over time, these savings can substantially alleviate financial pressures on vulnerable families.
Achieving carbon reduction goals
ECO4 supports the UK government’s ambitious target of reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. The millions of upgrades being installed across the country could lead to significant changes. New Minimum Requirements (MR) require band D and E homes to be elevated to at least a band C, and band F and G homes to at least a band D. Given that domestic properties are a major contributor to carbon emissions, these upgrades are crucial in driving national progress toward energy targets. (Source)
Bank of England base rate falls by 0.25%: what does this mean for mortgages?
Friday 22nd November 2024
What’s happened to the base rate? The Bank of England’s base rate has dropped to 4.75%. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted by 8-1 to cut the base rate by 0.25%. It comes after the Bank decided to keep the base rate on hold at 5% at its last meeting in September. The base rate, sometimes known as the ‘bank rate’ or the ‘interest rate’, influences the rates that lenders charge their borrowers. Our Director of Research and Insight, Richard Donnell, says: "The reduction in the base rate to 4.75% is welcome news in response to lower wage growth and inflation. That's probably it for 2024, but the latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts point to another three-quarter to one percent…
Rishi Sunak's EPC U-turn: What does it mean for landlords and tenants?
Friday 6th October 2023
Landlords were given the welcome news by Rishi Sunak when he reversed his decision and halted plans to enforce new EPC, Energy Performance Certificate, standards for privately rented properties. Improving EPCs was to be mandatory for landlords with properties required to be rated a minimum of C rather than the current E, unless the property was classed as exempt. However, in a 'U-turn', Mr Sunak decided against the move because he said the additional costs for landlords to make the improvements could be passed onto tenants in the form of increased rents.
Ministers are considering a punitive scheme to fine landlords up to £30,000 if they fail to upgrade their properties to a minimum band C by an extended deadline of 2028 instead of the current 2025. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had pre
Tuesday 9th May 2023
Ministers are considering a punitive scheme to fine landlords up to £30,000 if they fail to upgrade their properties to a minimum band C by an extended deadline of 2028 instead of the current 2025. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had previously proposed a deadline of 2025 for newly-let rentals to achieve an energy performance rating of at least C, and a deadline of 2028 for all other rented properties. But now all rental properties will have to reach the minimum standard by 2028, it is claimed. This adds fuel to an already flammable debate over how landlords are expected to pay for upgrading properties, particularly in areas where the circa £10,000 to £15,000 costs of meeting the EPC minimum…
Peace Of Mind With Professional Advice And Certification
Monday 20th February 2023
Peace Of Mind With Professional Advice And Certification With penalties of up to £5,000 for not having an EPC, a professional survey and report from us will put your mind at ease, by ensuring that you are compliant with regulations. Once issued, the certificate lasts for ten years, unless you make further improvements, and undertake another survey to achieve a higher non domestic EPC rating.
UK housebuilders in retreat amid property downturn Developers cut back on buying land in effort to ride out weaker market
Friday 13th January 2023
The UK’s three biggest housebuilders are cutting back on new projects as they adapt to a downturn in the property market, adding to fears that a national housing supply crunch is set to worsen. FTSE 100 developers Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Barratt Developments all said in updates this week that they would ease up on buying new land and developing it. The trio pointed to economic uncertainty, a jump in mortgage rates and the imminent end of the government’s Help to Buy scheme as reasons to be cautious. Spiralling costs for homebuyers have contributed the most to a cooling of the housing market in recent months. Chris Millington, a housing analyst at Numis, forecasted that the number of new homes built will fall by…
New and Upcoming Regulations regarding EPC for Landlords.
Wednesday 4th January 2023
New and Upcoming Regulations regarding EPC for Landlords. Here’s a list of all the rules and regulations related to Energy Performance Certificates that will come into action in the near future. 1. April 1st, 2023 (EPC Rating Changes) Previously the minimum EPC rating required for all new tenancies was changed to “E” in 2018. However, from the 1st of April, 2023, this will be applicable for all existing tenancies as well. This means that it would be illegal for all landlords to rent out or lease a commercial property with an EPC rating less than “E” 2. April 1st, 2025 to April 1st, 2027 (Compliance Window 1) By the 1st of April, 2027, all landlords must present a valid Energy Performance Certificate for their…
New Shared Ownership homes launched in East London by Notting Hill Genesis
Wednesday 4th January 2023
Notting Hill Genesis is bringing new homes for first-time buyers to east London with the launch of three Shared Ownership apartments at Goodluck Hope this month. The homes are the final properties to be offered by Notting Hill Genesis at the development, giving buyers a chance to be part of a growing community and new riverside destination. Spacious, open-plan one-bedroom apartments start from £118,750 for a 25 per cent share, and come with luxury additions such as floor-to-ceiling windows and large private balconies, and finishing touches including integrated wardrobes, bespoke carpets and a fitted modular kitchen with a full range of appliances. Or, buyers can make the most of the opportunity to purchase a two-bedroom loft apartment, and enjoy a property split over…
FREE GOVERNMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BOILERS AND INSULATION ECO4 SCHEME
Saturday 26th November 2022
FREE GOVERNMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BOILERS AND INSULATION ECO4 SCHEME The ECO 4 government grant has commenced for 2022/2023 and your property may be eligible for a grant to reduce your energy bills and boost your home energy rating. Households under the scheme on average qualify for £5000 - £10000 helping to fully fund improvements to reduce your energy bills. This is a free service helping households with an EPC rating of E and below access government grants. Your property will be approved for funding once eligibility is confirmed, we would like to speak with you to take next steps for funding energy improvements. If funding is unclaimed it will be allocated to other local properties. Funding is in high demand and allocated…
UK Residents May Now Be Eligible For A £1,500 Spray Foam Installation Discount
Monday 14th November 2022
Save Money On Your Bills With A Spray Foam Installation Discount – Check Your Eligibility Spray Foam Insulation is becoming an increasingly popular way for UK residents to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes warmer in the winter and cooler in summer. As well as spray foam being a great way to reduce your bills that is affordable, your home will see the benefits all year round. This revolutionary product has many benefits that can help you: Reduce Your Energy Bills Keeps Your Home Warm In The Winter and Cool In The Summer Reduce external noise Maintenance Free Pest deterrent Your Home Will Be Habitable As Soon As The Install Is Complete Most spray foam products come with a 25-year guarantee, but can often…
HOMES & PROPERTYPROPERTY NEWS Comment: ‘Why council housing is key to solving the housing crisis’ Buyers, renters and council tenants would all benefit from a revitalised state-led home building programme
Friday 11th November 2022
Could there be a more apposite time for A History of Council Housing in 100 Estates, by social housing historian John Boughton, to hit shelves? In a week when we’ve seen the full horror of the conditions in which refugees are being detained in Kent, while private renters are grappling with a dizzyingly expensive and competitive market, a book that opens with a discussion of adequate housing as a human right touches a nerve. Racist rhetoric loves to make a direct link between the two scenarios, blaming “invading” immigrants for soaring housing costs. But house prices have risen inexorably over the years, regardless of fluctuations in net migration numbers, while house-building has been at less than half the level needed for years.
Comment: ‘We’re all at risk if we ignore important lessons from Grenfell’
Thursday 10th November 2022
Lost letters, confusing regulations, penny pinching, outdated IT and sloppy building work are among the chillingly mundane failures that culminated in the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower. This litany of avoidable mistakes is forensically detailed in housing journalist Peter Apps’ remarkable new book, Show Me the Bodies: How We Let Grenfell Happen. It is a jaw-dropping account of a callous system that swept individual conscience aside in favour of profit and politics. Even if you’ve followed Apps’ excellent reporting from the public inquiry since 2018, nothing has yet so damningly exposed the gradual accumulation of blunders that led to 72 deaths and the destruction of 129 homes in one night. It is hard to convey how moving and enraging the book is —…
Help to buy ends.
Wednesday 9th November 2022
Help to Buy ends: what else is available? Are you looking to buy your first home? Applications now closed for the Help to Buy loan scheme in England, what other help is out there right now? We’ve taken a look at some of the other government schemes and legislation changes that aim to either help you to get on the ladder, or to buy your next home. What’s happening with Help to Buy? The Help to Buy Equity Loan, set up to help first-time buyers purchase a home in England, has now closed to new applications. And all homes being purchased via the scheme will need to have completed by the end of March next year. Wales has its own Help to Buy scheme, which…