Looking for a sustainable rental home
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- 21st Jan 25
The Green Revolution
There’s a transformative shift happening in the property market that will have enormous implications for the Build to Rent sector. As environmental concerns take centre stage and governments tighten regulations, the demand for energy-efficient, sustainable housing has never been greater. This green revolution is not only influencing how properties are designed and built but also redefining the expectations of customers who prioritise sustainability, affordability, and comfort. Furthermore, it is having a seismic impact on the private rented sector.
Leading Sustainable Living
With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, the rental sector has to respond. The proposed introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards, which will require all rented homes to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2030, is set to transform the market. While this push for greener homes presents challenges, Build to Rent developments are emerging as trailblazers in sustainable living, demonstrating that environmentally friendly practices are not just the future, they’re already here.
Counting the Cost of Going Green
Achieving the new EPC standards will not come cheap. Around 63% of the existing private rented sector (PRS) stock currently has an EPC rating of D or below, leaving many landlords facing difficult decisions. To comply with the new regulations, they will need to either invest in upgrading properties or leave the market altogether.
Recent data from Knight Frank highlights the financial burden of improving energy efficiency. By studying over 31,000 homes in the PRS that improved their EPC ratings over the past five years, it was found that the average cost of upgrading a property from EPC band D or below to band C is £5,988. However, costs vary significantly:
- Properties rated EPC D typically spent an average of £4,438 to achieve band C.
- Properties in band F saw costs increase to £9,760.
- Band G properties faced the highest average improvement cost at £12,985.
For many small landlords, these costs could be prohibitive, potentially triggering further sales of rental properties and reducing PRS availability.
How Build to Rent Developments Respond
While private landlords may struggle to meet these standards, Build to Rent developments are uniquely positioned to thrive in this new landscape. Sustainability has always been at the core of Build to Rent design, with purpose-built homes engineered to meet and often exceed current energy efficiency standards.
The annual Build to Rent Awards hosted by Love to Rent showcases exactly how important this is to the sector with the Sustainability Award focussed on the strategy to reduce carbon emissions, commitment to net zero, accreditations and achievements in this area as well as initiatives that support the local community and promote mindfulness and wellbeing.
Green Community
It’s not just in the way the homes are built that add to the developments green credentials. Internally, smart technology plays a pivotal role in reducing energy consumption. Residents can control heating, lighting, and appliances remotely, optimising energy use and reducing waste.
Promoting a greener lifestyle is also a role that developers and operators take seriously. With a community centred approach, many developments include green spaces, bike storage, and recycling facilities, supporting an eco-friendly lifestyle for residents. Some go a step further by offering car-sharing schemes or electric vehicle charging points, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Your Gateway to Sustainable Living
For those seeking a highly efficient and sustainable home, Love to Rent is the ideal platform. Specialising in Build to Rent developments, Love to Rent offers a curated selection of properties designed with energy efficiency at their core. These homes not only meet but often exceed the new EPC standards, ensuring residents enjoy lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint. With a focus on providing value for money, Love to Rent connects renters to properties that align with their lifestyle and sustainability goals, making greener living both accessible and affordable.
Start the search for your new home today.