UK Landlord Forum / Life

So - how many of you developers/ renovators think about energy efficiency when doing places up.
Is it worth the money?
Will you get your money back?
Will it add any value to the property?
I'm not just talking lagging the loft but more like solar hot water or ground source heat pumps etc.
I am currently looking into getting solar hot water for my own place. I can get it at a good price and it looks pretty simple to install.
Thoughts please

If doing a big old project that involves 3 or more new build etc i would go for it, even if its to generate interest from customers but also ticks boxes with local councils as they have an environment policy in force.
As for doing on my own place, i have a huge bath so probably not !

I only do buy-to-let, and my tenants pay their utilitiy bills, so I don't bother kitting the places out with energy efficient products. Probably not the best attitude =/

I think its worth it - over time tenants do notice the size of their utility bills and no matter what you think about the politics behind it people are only going to become more acutely aware about this stuff over time. I'd see it in the same way as refreshing the interior of a place every once in a while - you're keeping it in line with current expectations of the market so that at any time you know your stock is in a fit state (possibly to sell, or just at the top of what you can demand for rents etc). Of course with the finest details there will be a point of diminishing returns where it really doesn't make sense to do it - the *most* technologically advanced green systems are like any other technology, you pay a disproportionate premium to have them before they become "average". But as soon as the price looks reasonable and you'd consider putting it into your own place I'd say you should consider putting it into your flats, because if its something you'd look for its something your tenants will be looking for too.


V

It really depends on the property and your target market .

I think its worth it in flats definately and larger properties where the bills are alot ... especially with HIP reports .

But anything inbetween that ie. terrace houses .... cottages .... bungalows I wouldnt bother going all out with solar panels etc .

Having said that ... Im doing up a terraced house and I make sure I get the most energy efficient for my money ... all the appliances in the kitchen are A rating , energy saving lightbulbs ... LEDs instead of downlights ... low flush toilet ... replacing the old boiler with a combi .

They dont seem much ... but they are all bonuses ...and make the HIP report look alot better .


Ive recently had a HIP report done , not on the terrace house  ( total load of rubbish ) But ... the recommended measures to improve energy performance were ;



Lower cost measures
Cavity wall insulation
Low energy lighting for all fixed outlets

Higher cost measures
Hot water thermostat
Upgrade heating controls
Replace boiler with Band A condensing boiler

Further Higher cost measures
Solar water heating
Solar photovoltaics panels

Hope this helps abit .

The HIPS is interesting.
How do they work out that fitting a thermostat to your hot water is more expensive than cavity wall insulation.
As for solar photovoltaics that is expensive and unless you are going to stay put for the rest of your life you wont get your money back.
I know of a house near me which had them installed at a cost of £34k
On a nice sunny day it will generate 3Kw.

Pffft @ hip

Quote from: propertyfag on February 11, 2008, 04:32:14 PM
I only do buy-to-let, and my tenants pay their utilitiy bills, so I don't bother kitting the places out with energy efficient products. Probably not the best attitude =/

Our landlord obviously thinks like you Mr.

We have 7 60Watt downlighters in our hall & kitchen where 3 would be sufficient. A combi boiler with no thermostat so the heating is on constantly (although we turn it on and off ourselves) over 1 inch gaps here there and everywhere, the front windows are single glazed... I love a good draft me.

I could go on forever... and it pisses me off because I'm the one who pays all the utility bills! 

*breathes*

Ye good point the one they call the Moo.
Fag you need to be more responsible for youe tenants, bloody hell man whats wrong with you,
There is a point here, i think untill you live it yourself you dont know.  Its the dripping tap story, if its not bothering me and i dont have to watch or listern to it i dont car,  Typical landlord thought i think.
Moo ask your landlord for the most recent electrical test, when he asks why tell him you think there are to many down lighters and you think they maybe over heating due to the lagging or insulation behind them.  I bet he/she will get them reduced !, just a thought. 


Badger

Thing is, if my tenants asked for new energy efficient products, i'd happily pay for it...

Come on, I'm not THAT bad...

Quote from: m00 on February 14, 2008, 03:10:21 PM

Our landlord obviously thinks like you Mr.

We have 7 60Watt downlighters in our hall & kitchen where 3 would be sufficient. A combi boiler with no thermostat so the heating is on constantly (although we turn it on and off ourselves) over 1 inch gaps here there and everywhere, the front windows are single glazed... I love a good draft me.

I could go on forever... and it pisses me off because I'm the one who pays all the utility bills! 

*breathes*

Thing is, if the state of my property was in that condition, then I would be more energy efficient conscious.

But the houses are relatively new; they have double glazing, the boilers are new, and there aren't that many light bulbs in the properties...


Have you asked your landlord to rectify those issues?

The house was renovated under 12 months ago. Everything is new, the boiler, carpets, kitchen etc.

It's an old 1930's house converted into two flats. The front windows are sash ones, some with stained glass - they're gorgeous but drafty, they rattle and we can hear everything. I doubt he'd replace the windows.

Initially the flat was for himself and the downstairs flat was to be rented out.

It's a shame because it's such a nice flat but he's seemed to have overlooked the little important details. For instance, theres no sound proofing between the two flats - I know theres no regulations for a conversion - but when you can hear your neighbours having a piss, it's a bit much 

Don't get me wrong, the flat is great but from living here I've learn't a lot.

I bet you don't just hear your neighbours having a piss...

Sounds bad. I stayed in a hotel like that once. We could hear them taking a piss and the conversation they were having while taking a piss.


V

Sure you weren't just standing next to the wall with a glass pressed against the wall and your ear?

Ya' know, you seem the type...lol

 

Hey guys you may need to upgrae your accomadation if you can ear whats going on next door,  Um come to think about it maybe i should down grade !!!!!!, ok ok ok, My name is Badger and i am a perv 

Quote from: propertyfag on February 14, 2008, 09:14:16 PM
I bet you don't just hear your neighbours having a piss...

I don't think they're that lucky!  But I must admit, we make our fair share of noise... 

I had the unfortunate chance of staying in a 4 star hotel in Belfast last night - I say unfortunately because silly me thought I'd be surrounded with peace and quiet but oh no, the sound of flowing wee followed me... 

Ah well.