Keep your tenants warm with Double Glazed Windows from Planet South Lakes

The North West’s leading double glazing provider, Planet South Lakes urge landlords in the Lancaster and Morecambe area to consider fitting double glazing throughout their properties in order to maximize the energy efficiency of each property.

From the 1st of October 2008, all landlords in England and Wales are required by law to provide an energy efficiency certificate for their rented properties.  Similar to the Home Information Packs (HIPs) which sellers must provide for the potential buyers of a property, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), details the energy efficiency of a properties heating, insulation and double glazing. Each property is then rated on a scale from ‘A’ to ‘G’, ‘A’ being the most efficient.

This Energy Performance Certificate enables potential tenants to consider the energy efficiency and expected fuel costs of a property before they decide to go ahead with the rental.  This scheme is good news for tenants, especially in light of the energy price hike; however, landlords have mixed feelings over the EPC scheme, which all EU member states must comply with by January 2009.

The EPC must be produced by an accredited energy assessor and looks at areas such as wall and loft insulation, boiler and central heating efficiency and of course, whether double glazed windows are fitted throughout the property. The EPC is valid for 10 years and must be provided free of charge to prospective tenants.

The Lancaster and Morecambe Bay area is home to some 20,000 students attending both the university and St. Martins College in Lancaster.  This large number of students means rented housing is always in demand and landlords have a range of health and safety criteria to comply with, along with this new certificate.

The new Energy Performance Certificate now means landlords will have to make sure their properties perform well in the efficiency ratings in order to ensure their properties are re-let quickly.  Landlords have to find new tenants frequently, meaning if the energy efficiency of their property is high they’re more likely either retain their tenants or re-let their properties quickly.

The large Victorian terraced houses which are common place in both Lancaster and Morecambe are popular properties in the student rental market due the large number of bedrooms they have.  Many of these properties do not feature double glazed windows throughout; which will have a detrimental effect on the energy efficiency rating of the property.

The knock on effect of a low energy efficiency rating means landlords will struggle to let and re-let their properties year after year.  Staying ahead of the game is paramount to maximizing profits in the highly competitive student rental market and having double glazed windows throughout will ensure your property will be in high demand from potential tenants.

Planet South Lakes can provide a bespoke quote for full or part double glazing throughout the Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Carlisle, Lancaster & Morecambe Bay areas. Planet highly recommends the new EnergiMAX double glazed window units which have an unsurpassed energy efficiency rating.

For more details visit: www.planetsouthlakes.com or call Planet South Lakes on 0800 612 2255.