Background: Improving the energy performance of the European housing stock
European countries have adapted their planning and/or building regulations to integrate energy performance standards over the last number of years. A significant source of external influence came from the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introduced in 2002. Stipulations that minimum standards be introduced during renovation and that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) be produced when buildings are sold or rented have secured a position for existing houses in the regulatory fold. Notwithstanding, a number of market barriers remain, which are commonly differentiated between ownership categories. Cost effectiveness and funding is a particular issue for the social housing sector where investment is made by the landlord whilst savings are enjoyed by the tenant. In the Netherlands a mechanism to avoid this split incentive will therefore be introduced (from 2011) allowing the landlord to raise the rent following the energetic improvement of the dwelling. However the rent increase after the measures have been taken may not be higher than the savings on the energy bill.
