Glenhawk launches incentive to boost EPC ratings




Specialist lender Glenhawk has introduced an end-of-term discount for borrowers who improve the EPC rating of a property after undertaking light or medium refurbishment.

The borrower can receive a discount of up to 0.25% if improving to an EPC of C.

That increases to 0.50% for a rating of B or above.

The discount will be available until 31st May across Glenhawk’s unregulated refurbishment product range for residential assets and commercial-to-residential conversions.

This is the company’s first sustainability offering and has been launched against a backdrop of stricter regulation regarding minimum energy efficiency standards affecting the UK residential sector.

Michael Clifford, commercial director at Glenhawk (pictured above), said: “The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe, which poses a significant challenge for landlords and property owners.

“Given real estate’s well publicised carbon footprint and the UK’s ambitious net zero targets, lenders like ourselves have an obligation to support borrowers in improving the energy efficiency of their properties.”

He added: “This is just the latest step on our sustainability pathway, with a more formalised product offering targeted for later this year.”

Government regulation is expected to require landlords to evidence a rating of C or higher for their residential properties for any new rentals by 2025 and all private rentals by 2028.

More than half of properties in England have an EPC rating below this.

Compliance with minimum rating requirements will be essential for property investors seeking to maximise capital and rental values at the point of letting or sale.

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