LeBern has always prided itself on its green credentials long before being green became mainstream and has always wanted to be a pioneer in the property space across the board. That’s why over the year LeBern has invested heavily in developing services that are relevant to everyone on their individual property journeys.
So, as climate change gathers pace and becomes more and more prevalent in our everyday lives, UK property is now at the forefront of efforts to getting us carbon neutral by 2050. LeBerns’ Energy and Sustainability Consultancy has been developed to provide landlords, homeowners, developers and investors with some advisory and practical guidance on what they need to consider now for the future in context of property investment.
Some key considerations that might be part of any brief could be:
Energy Efficiency Standards
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating (EER) is a crucial measure of a property’s energy efficiency and in the future will dictate what finance might be available, or what you are permitted to do with the property. Under MEES (the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) the UK government has set stringent energy efficiency standards for properties, especially new builds to meet in the short term, but also now existing stock with the current government reintroducing a C rating as a target for all rented property by 2030 for example.
Sustainable Building Practice
Sustainable construction practices include using eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, and implementing designs that reduce energy consumption are now at the forefront of planning requirements and construction technology is having to evolve quickly. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a leading sustainability assessment method for infrastructure and buildings in the UK which will become more and more stringent as time passes.
Renewable Energy Integration
Solar panels, wind turbines, and air & ground source heat pumps are increasingly being integrated into properties to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as gas and oil. The UK has various incentives for property owners to install renewable energy systems, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which makes payments over 7 years depending on how much heat is produced by a building from renewable sources.
Regulations and Policies
The UK’s net-zero target by 2050 has led to policies aimed at decarbonizing the property sector, amongst others, including stricter building regulations and incentives for retrofitting existing buildings, not only with renewable heat sources but insulation as well.
Sustainable Urban Development
Urban planning in the UK is increasingly focusing on sustainability, with an emphasis on green spaces, net biodiversity targets (NBD), public transport, and low-carbon infrastructure.
Impact on Property Values
Properties with higher energy efficiency ratings will in time start to have higher market values and will become more attractive to environmentally conscious buyers as the net zero revolution takes shape.
Get in touch today for your free Energy & Sustainability consultation.
