Landlords 'must seek energy-efficiency help' - buy to let mortgages

10 October 2008

Landlords are being encouraged to seek the financial help available to them in order to make their rental properties more energy-efficient.

The Energy Savings Trust has stated that there is no need for landlords to be out of pocket when making green improvements.

Spokesperson Nancy Baynes urged those with buy to let mortgages to apply for government support, designed to help recoup monies paid out to install energy-efficient measures such as insulation or a modern heating system.

"There is no good reason for landlords to pass the cost of upgrading a property to meet energy efficient criteria to their tenants," she remarked.

She added that the recent introduction of energy performance certificates had brought the environmental benefits of renovating rental properties "to the fore".

Support that is available to buy to let investors includes the landlord's energy saving allowance, a tax incentive that allows owners to claim back £1,500 after installing insulation.