Cavity Wall Insulation - legal Requirement?!!

Miss_Poohs

Hi there

I had some cold callers tonight who targeted my tenants for cavity wall insulation - I live locally so my tenants sent them to me. The cold callers told me that it will soon be a legal requirement for me to have cavity wall insulation in my rental property.

Now I know there is a drive to have rental properties as energy efficient as possible but I don't want cavity wall insulation. I had an energy report carried out about 3 years ago and all though it wasn't top notch it wasn't damning either.

If anything I'd replace the boiler first.

Is this a scam, or a play on words?

Ps - we're in Scotland.

Johnandabby

Miss_Poohs wrote: »

Hi there

I had some cold callers tonight who targeted my tenants for cavity wall insulation - I live locally so my tenants sent them to me. The cold callers told me that it will soon be a legal requirement for me to have cavity wall insulation in my rental property.

Now I know there is a drive to have rental properties as energy efficient as possible but I don't want cavity wall insulation. I had an energy report carried out about 3 years ago and all though it wasn't top notch it wasn't damning either.

If anything I'd replace the boiler first.

Is this a scam, or a play on words?

Ps - we're in Scotland.

Still very vague and unconfirmed at the moment, but potentially will be a requirement to achieve an EPC of E or better for rented properties in England & Wales from 2018. Scottish plans are even more vague, but suggestion that they could bring in similar requirements earlier than 2018.

Definitely no legal requirement for cavity wall insulation - you get to the required EPC rating by whatever means you want. If you have a terrible EPC rating at the moment (F or G) then it's something to keep an eye on, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

vectistim

They were at best simply overegging the 2018 thing. However, your tenant may be entitled to some free measures.

SG27

Johnandabby wrote: »

Still very vague and unconfirmed at the moment, but potentially will be a requirement to achieve an EPC of E or better for rented properties in England & Wales from 2018. Scottish plans are even more vague, but suggestion that they could bring in similar requirements earlier than 2018.

Definitely no legal requirement for cavity wall insulation - you get to the required EPC rating by whatever means you want. If you have a terrible EPC rating at the moment (F or G) then it's something to keep an eye on, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

This would mean anything built before about 1900 can't achieve above an E? Sounds a bit silly really.

Johnandabby

SG27 wrote: »

This would mean anything built before about 1900 can't achieve above an E? Sounds a bit silly really.

Older properties can achieve better than an E, but not with direct electric heating and no insulation - that's really what the policy will look to remove from the rental market. There was talk of listed buildings being exempt provided that all feasible energy efficiency measures (ie heating control, low energy lighting, draught proofing) have been undertaken.

Mojisola

Miss_Poohs wrote: »

The cold callers told me that it will soon be a legal requirement for me to have cavity wall insulation in my rental property.

Whenever a salesman tells you "it's the law" or similar, ask them to send you a copy of the law.

Miss_Poohs

I've been looking at some online info - I think my tenants may be entitled to some help if they need it too, but I'd need to look into it more and obviously speak with them. The house was built 1972 - it's double glazed, and the loft is very well insulated.
I really do think the central heating system will need replaced in the next couple of years though.
Cavity wall insulation is the last thing I'd consider - the cavity is there for a reason in my opinion.
Obviously something to keep my eye on.

Thank you

dimbo61

If you can get FREE cavity wall insulation why not ?
It is not the Law in England and Wales but who knows the Scots !
Winters can be very cold up north and if cavity wall insulation helps reduce the heating bills both you and your tenants will benefit.
They are providing free boilers to tenants and home owners on benefits round here.

simpywimpy

A little off track but both my late father and myself took up cavity wall insulation a few years ago and have since suffered from damp in the same places. When the builder pulled out the insulation, it was possible to wring it out as it held all the water that would normally (i guess) have just run straight down. Neither of us had any damp problems until this was fitted.

Miss_Poohs

Exactly SW I have it in my house - it was done before we bought it, and I wouldn't recommend it.