Landlords warned about insulation letters as government scraps ECO scheme

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Landlords warned about insulation letters as government scraps ECO scheme

Landlords are being urged to look out for letters about faulty insulation and upcoming repair plans.

As previously reported by Property118, the National Audit Office (NAO) found that 98% of homes fitted with external wall insulation under the government’s ECO4 scheme need remedial work to fix serious issues that could cause damp and mould.

Despite this, the government has not yet confirmed a timeline for repairing affected properties, even though Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Autumn Budget that the ECO scheme will end in March next year.

Only 2,900 homes fully repaired

Earlier this year, the government suspended 39 businesses from installing solid wall insulation after routine checks revealed major failings, pledging that installers would be required to fix the defects free of charge.

However, by mid-September 2025, only 2,900 homes had been fully repaired.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says landlords whose properties had insulation installed under the ECO4 or Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) should expect a letter from Ofgem if the work is below standard.

As the letter will be sent directly to the property, the NRLA is urging landlords to tell tenants to look out for the letter and inform them immediately once it is received.

The government is also calling on anyone who receives an audit invitation to allow qualified professionals access, allowing problems to be identified and fixed.

The government adds that even if the original installer is no longer operating, ECO4 or GBIS should be covered by guarantees.

Government will scrap ECO scheme in March 2026

The news comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget that the government would scrap the ECO scheme to save money on energy bills and replace it with the Warm Homes Plan.

However, as previously reported by Property118, despite the Warm Homes Plan being scheduled to launch last month, a government minister has admitted the scheme will now roll out “before the end of the year.”

The Warm Homes Plan aims to help homeowners cut energy costs and improve home energy efficiency, offering grants for heat pumps and support for renters and low-income households.

However, industry experts have criticised the government for scrapping the ECO scheme.

Anna Moore, CEO and founder at retrofit consultancy Domna, said: “The Warm Homes Plan is a welcome initiative. However, suddenly yanking £1.3 billion in funding is chaotic and has created a cliff edge for thousands of low-income households in fuel poverty, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing some 10,000 people.

“With fuel poverty growing and business under pressure, it beggars belief that a successful scheme funnelling utility firm funding to the poorest households in society should be brutally cut. And for what? To create a few short-term headlines around cutting Net Zero levies.”

She adds: “This fundamentally goes against Labour’s stated values of wanting to help the poor and to fight climate change. This is not the moment to pull up the ladder. Bridging ECO to the Warm Homes Plan is essential if we are to protect residents, protect jobs and protect progress.

“Right now, we risk losing the installers, coordinators and surveyors – those SMEs who have built up capability over a decade, and whose expertise we critically need. Companies cannot simply be switched back on later like a light switch and the ramifications of this could massively undermine our wider battles to fight climate change and upgrade our ageing housing stock.

“We need clarity and continuity. Extending ECO by one year allows an orderly transition while the Warm Homes Plan is finalised, piloted and mobilised. Without that extension, the sector falls off a cliff in March 2026 and we will be rebuilding capacity from scratch at exactly the moment the government needs to accelerate delivery.”

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New Builds vs Older Properties – Landlord Insurance Considerations

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New Builds vs Older Properties – Landlord Insurance Considerations

Not all rental properties are created equal in the eyes of insurers. New builds and older properties carry very different risks, and those differences directly affect the type of cover you need and the price you pay. Understanding these contrasts helps landlords avoid underinsurance, declined claims, and unexpected premium hikes.

Why Property Age Matters to Insurers

Insurers consider age a key rating factor because it influences structural integrity, compliance standards, and claim likelihood. While new builds may benefit from warranties, older properties often face higher risks of escape of water, electrical faults, and subsidence.

Insurance Advantages of New Builds

• Modern construction – built to current regulations, with higher energy efficiency and fire safety standards.
• Structural warranties – NHBC or equivalent schemes can reduce perceived risk for the first 10 years.
• Lower claims frequency – fewer issues with plumbing, wiring, or roofing during the first decade.
• Competitive premiums – insurers may rate new builds more favourably than older stock.

However, landlords should note that warranties do not replace insurance. They cover only specific defects, not fire, flood, malicious damage, or liability.

Insurance Risks of Older Properties

• Ageing services – older wiring, boilers, and pipework are more prone to faults.
• Escape of water – leaking roofs, outdated plumbing, and flat roofs increase claims frequency.
• Subsidence – more common in properties built on clay soils or with shallow foundations.
• Listed buildings – specialist reinstatement requirements can dramatically increase rebuild costs and claim timelines.
• Non-standard construction – timber frames, thatch, or concrete prefabs may require specialist underwriting.

Loss of Rent – Why Time Matters

Reinstating an older property after a serious fire or flood often takes longer than a new build. Planning permissions, heritage requirements, and the availability of specialist trades all extend the timeline. Landlords of older stock should check that their loss of rent cover allows for extended reinstatement periods, not just the standard 12 months.

Common Pitfalls

• Assuming warranties replace insurance – they don’t; they only cover defects.
• Underinsuring rebuild costs – listed buildings and older stock often require expensive reinstatement methods.
• Ignoring specialist underwriting needs – non-standard materials like thatch or timber frames may not be accepted by mainstream insurers.
• Failing to disclose age-related issues – non-disclosure of prior subsidence or electrical faults can void cover.

Checklist Before You Buy or Renew

• Confirm whether your property is new build, standard construction, or non-standard.
• Disclose any structural warranties to your broker or insurer.
• Check rebuild costs carefully, especially for older or listed properties.
• Review loss of rent limits in line with realistic reinstatement times.
• Keep maintenance logs – especially for older wiring, boilers, and roofs.

Final Thoughts

New builds and older properties both make good investments, but they carry different insurance considerations. For landlords, the key is to match cover to the property’s age, structure, and risks. By doing so, you protect not only your assets but also your income stream in the event of a serious claim.

Request your quote or call-back

The most efficient way to get a personal quote with the best price and cover possible is to call the team on 01832 770965 so we can focus on your enquiry when you are ready and sitting down with your portfolio details to hand.

Alternatively, you can use the form below to request one of our team to give you a call back.

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Publication date: Tuesday 2 December 2025

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London’s rental supply stays strong as demand drops in Christmas run-up

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London’s rental supply stays strong as demand drops in Christmas run-up

New PRS listings continued to climb in October as the capital’s rental market showed no sign of weakening, even as demand began to ease ahead of Christmas.

Foxtons’ data reveals that supply stayed strong throughout the month, extending a trend seen since the start of the year.

Listings slipped 7% compared with September, yet still outperformed October 2024.

Over the year, new instructions are running 10% higher than last year, giving tenants more choice than they saw in previous autumn cycles.

Demand, however, cooled sharply with renter registrations dropping 33% between September and October as the traditional seasonal slowdown took hold.

London’s PRS is resilient

The firm’s managing director of lettings, Gareth Atkins, said: “October saw a seasonal slowdown in demand, but the London lettings market remains resilient.

“The recent Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Act is a significant milestone, and with Phase 1 implementation confirmed for 1 May 2025, landlords should prepare for upcoming changes by working with a London lettings expert to get the right price for their rental property.”

He added: “Despite easing competition, rental values have held firm, supported by strong applicant budgets and improved supply.

“These trends underline the continued strength of London’s rental sector and its ability to deliver returns for landlords, even in a shifting regulatory landscape.”

Rental demand is firm

Foxtons says activity has been tracking 7% below 2024 levels across the year, although the need for rental homes in London remains firm.

Declines were most noticeable in the South and West of the capital, where enquiries tapered off faster than in other areas.

Average weekly rents dipped 3% to £575, echoing the softening usually seen in October.

Even so, year-to-date figures show rents are still 2% higher than in 2024.

Every borough of London recorded growth over the year apart from the North, pointing to steady pricing supported by continued demand.

Lower tenant competition

Tenant competition has also eased with the number of new renters per instruction falling nearly 29% month-on-month.

In August, roughly 20 tenants chased each available home; by October that had halved to nine.

Foxtons says this gives renters a better chance of securing a property without the bidding pressure that dominated earlier in the year.

Budgets also remained tight but consistent as tenants spent an average of 99% of their registered limits.

Around 63% of renters found homes below budget, while 30% had to push beyond what they originally set aside.

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