BPF welcomes plans to alter environmental legislation

The British Property Federation (BPF) has revealed it is behind the government's plans to alter its environmental legislation proposals, which will involve encouraging the energy efficiency of more properties.

Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne announced last night (May 10th 2011) that alterations are to be made to the Energy Bill.

These include the rule that landlords will not be able to refuse requests to improve the energy efficiency of rented properties from April 2016.

Other changes also involve making it illegal to rent out accommodation that has a low energy efficiency rating from April 2018.

Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the BPF, said: "This seems reasonable for the private rented sector."

However, he noted that if the Green Deal fails then it could lead to a reduction in housing supply.

Earlier this week, the BPF joined the UK Green Building Council to ask if Display Energy Certificates for private properties could be made compulsory in order to make firms more accountable for their energy consumption.

Posted by Joseph Hutton