Based in the Knutsford Office, Jonty Rawcliffe predominantly assists with the management of the Tatton Estate, which consists of a diverse portfolio including roughly 5000 acres of agricultural land and roughly 500 commercial and residential properties. The Estate covers the villages of Millington, Rostherne, Ashley, Mobberley and Peover, with a ranging presence in each, while there is also property in Knutsford, Salford, Stockport and Wilmslow.
In the last few months Jonty has been overseeing work in all properties to increase their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating following updates to government regulation regarding energy efficiency. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations will make it un-lawful from 1st April 2018 to let both commercial and domestic property in England and Wales which do not achieve a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’.
To improve the EPC rating the work instructed has been predominantly loft and cavity wall insulation, along with considering the efficiency of boilers, particularly within residential properties. Due to this vast change, the government has provided different funding schemes to help landlords to cover the cost of this work. This funding has enabled Jonty to instruct the work through a company who specialise in insulation and energy efficiency.
From 1st April 2018, the new MEES regulations will apply to new lettings and existing leases, but from 1st April 2023, this will apply to all existing leases. Landlords could find themselves with substantial fines for non-compliance, while MEES will be reviewed once more by the government in 2020. It is therefore essential to maintain an interest in energy efficiency regulation within England and Wales in the next few years.
If you have any questions about this article, please contact Jonty on 01565 757 985 or 07971 811931 and jonty.rawcliffe@fishergerman.co.uk