"Despite all the political upheaval of recent months, it looks highly likely that future Governments are going to keep looking to the UK housing market to do more in terms of energy efficiency"
The Mortgage Climate Action Group is hosting a new green-focused buy-to-let webinar for the intermediary community.
Launched in April 2022, the Mortgage Climate Action Group helps intermediaries to understand and address green issues involved in mortgage applications. It aims to ensure that advisers’ interests are represented amongst lenders, regulators, trade bodies, and Government institutions.
The latest webinar will look at areas affecting mortgage advisers within their buy-to-let client book, and will include information on how to support landlord clients in this area, what lenders can offer, and details on what the future for buy-to-let within the green agenda might look like.
Taking place on Wednesday 9th November, the webinar will be hosted by Richard Howes, director of mortgages at Paradigm Mortgage Services, and will feature a range of experts including:
• Sara Palmer from The Mortgage Lender looking at the forthcoming green-focused legislation around properties, timescales, etc.
• Adrian Moloney from OSB Group reviews what needs to be done to bring properties in line with the forthcoming legislation, what could work for landlords and why.
• Jon Cooper from Aldermore discusses the practical help and guidelines, and what lenders are doing to help advisers in this area.
• David Whittaker from Keystone looks at the potential future for buy-to-let and the impact for landlord clients and advisers within a green economy.
Advisers who’d like to register for the event can do so by visiting: https://www.paradigm.co.uk/CPD/event-booking?EventID=401.
Richard Howes, director of mortgages at Paradigm Mortgage Services, commented: “Despite all the political upheaval of recent months, it looks highly likely that future Governments are going to keep looking to the UK housing market to do more in terms of energy efficiency and in terms of helping reach its net zero commitments. I think we all recognise the importance of this, and it is the private rental sector and landlords specifically, who are going to be the first borrower demographic required to meet new targets in this area.
“As a result, we’ve seen a significant growth in green-focused product options in the buy-to-let market, and advisers working with landlord clients need to be fully informed about the options available and what might happen in the future. We, at Paradigm, are very pleased to be working with the Mortgage Action Climate Group and this webinar will cover off a range of issues to both educate and inform advisers so they can provide the best solutions to their landlord clients. We look forward to this webinar next month and hope as many advisers as possible will be able to join to hear from all the industry experts.”
Alex Beavis, proposition director for mortgages and later life at Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “The proposed buy-to-let Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard rules are already shaping the UK’s rental market, as landlords prepare for a phased introduction of the minimum C-rated EPC requirements for new properties from 2025, and for existing properties from 2028. While this legislation is not yet finalised and approved by Government, the direction of travel is clear, so even if the proposed implementation dates get pushed back, raising awareness is key.
“Sesame Bankhall Group wholeheartedly supports the drive to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock. Alongside this, it is also critical advisers receive the guidance, training, and support they need to understand the impact these changes will have on their landlord clients. That's why we are committed to supporting the Mortgage Climate Action Group. The forthcoming buy-to-let webinar will be another valuable addition to this important work on a cross industry topic of huge importance.”
