UK Business Property

Sustainability is important when buying investment property.

Owners of investment property – particularly those who rent out their buildings to tenants – have been advised of the importance of behaving in a sustainable manner.

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has revealed that more than a third (35 per cent) of people who let property in the UK are unaware of its eco-friendliness.

Perhaps more worryingly, 17 per cent said they believed their properties fall into the lowest category of energy efficiency on the scale – bands F and G.

From 2018 these will be banned under new government regulations, so it is important when buying an investment property to check how much work will need to be done to meet the required standards.

"ARLA has campaigned for the government to incentivise - through tax relief - the improvement of rental properties. Otherwise it is going to be exceedingly difficult for the majority of landlords," explained Ian Potter, operations manager of the organisation.

Darren Yates, a partner in the commercial research team at Knight Frank, this week said that legislation is also imminent that will make it a requirement to go green with commercial property.

Posted by Tom Baker