Tenants 'looking for eco-friendly homes' - buy to let mortgages

13 January 2009

Demand is growing among tenants for energy-efficient properties, it has been claimed.

Rising amounts of people who rent a home are seeking lower energy bills, according to Anthony Zahra, a spokesperson for the National Landlords' Association (NLA).

Commenting following the introduction of new legislation in Scotland that requires those with buy to let mortgages to provide potential tenants with energy performance certificates (EPCs), Mr Zahra said that landlords have reacted well to the change in the law.

He remarked: "We've given out over 2,000 EPCs already and generally landlords have been fairly positive towards it."

Tenants may be more attracted to a certain home if the EPC shows that it is more energy-efficient, he explained, noting: "With the credit crunch tenants are looking for lower fuel bills."

Meanwhile, landlords face fines of £5,000 per property if they fail to comply with the legislation, the Scottish arm of the NLA warned.