The CLA today criticised the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for setting a consultation on Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) before the results of a vital solid wall study were released.
Responding to the consultation which ended this week, the organisation said the energy efficiency of properties is measured using a calculation based on cavity walls, leaving traditional solid wall homes at risk of being awarded unfairly low energy efficiency ratings.
CLA President Henry Robinson said: “DECC has spent £2million testing the thermal efficiency of solid walled properties yet this consultation proposes to set regulations before the findings of this research have been published. Without these results a consultation is a waste of energy.”
The CLA said the proposals to see MEP compliance being rolled out in 2018, with all rented properties reaching Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level E by 2020 does not give landlords enough time to make changes to their properties.
Mr Robinson said: “If, when released the results of the solid wall study show changes to thermal efficiency calculations are needed, landlords of traditional properties will want to ensure their EPC ratings are correct.
“Landlords of non-domestic privately rented buildings will also have concerns around the time frames involved to meet the regulations and the assessment process.
“It is likely that there will be mass re-commissioning of EPC assessments and therefore the deadline for MEP compliance should be moved to 2025 in order to allow landlords to plan effectively.”
