Energy Performance, Innovation, and Supporting Tenants
The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Rental Properties
Harjeet Cheema is Director of the Harrison Group, a family-run business that purchases and develops properties for rental accommodation. The business is managed by Harjeet alongside his parents, with each family member contributing to the company’s growth and success.
Harjeet leads on the landlord side of the business but is actively involved throughout the full journey—transforming empty buildings into high-quality homes for tenants. With a hands-on role in refurbishments, he finds the most rewarding part of his work is seeing families settled into comfortable, well-designed accommodation.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters
Currently, landlords cannot rent out properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below ‘E’, and by 2028 all existing tenancies must achieve at least a ‘C’ rating. Harjeet explains:
“The higher the EPC rating, the more energy efficient the home becomes. That directly benefits tenants by reducing running costs, making apartments more affordable and attractive to live in.”
Energy-efficient properties provide clear benefits for both landlords and tenants. For tenants, lower energy bills and manageable lifestyle costs reduce financial strain, making it easier for them to meet rent obligations and remain in the property for longer. For landlords, this means improved tenant satisfaction, reduced turnover, and fewer costly void periods.
As Harjeet puts it:
“A more efficient rental home keeps tenants longer because they don’t want to move to a less efficient property.”
Challenges Facing Modern Landlords
Landlords today operate in an increasingly complex environment. Regulatory requirements such as safety standards, energy performance rules, and tenant management obligations all bring significant challenges and associated costs. On top of compliance, landlords must also manage operational demands, such as maintenance, agent fees, and tenant turnover.
One of the greatest risks landlords face is rental voids—the period when a property is unoccupied. Harjeet explains:
“Every time a new tenant moves in, there are turnover costs, agent costs, and ongoing maintenance expenses. When a property sits empty, the loss is even greater, as bills, utilities, and council tax still need to be paid, without rental income to offset them.”
This highlights the importance of tenant retention. From Harjinder’s experience, energy efficiency plays a critical role in achieving this.
Harnessing Innovation: Showersave WWHR
Harjeet was particularly struck by the benefits of Showersave’s Waste Water Heat Recovery (WWHR) technology:
“It costs nothing to run, integrates with the Triton HeatRepeat electric shower, and even improves the performance of electric heat pumps. What I like is that it’s a true ‘fit and forget’ technology—tenants don’t even know it’s there.
There are real savings for the end user because hot shower waste water is reused to pre-heat cold mains water. At first, recovering heat from waste water sounded novel to me, but it’s simple, effective, and even improves EPC ratings. On top of that, it’s easy to install.”
Building for Efficiency
At Harrison Group, efficiency begins with infrastructure and building fabric. Gas boilers are being replaced with electric heating systems, a decision that:
- Maintains or improves EPC ratings
- Eliminates carbon monoxide risks
- Reduces maintenance requirements
- Enhances long-term property appeal
“Electric heating also gives us flexibility,” Harjeet notes. “As solar and other renewable technologies become more viable, we can easily switch the energy source from the mains grid to cleaner alternatives.”
Harjeet also recognises the importance of helping tenants get the most from new technologies:
“We’ve seen situations where electric storage heaters and solar weren’t being used efficiently. That’s why there’s an educational element to all of this. We’re exploring intelligent ways of monitoring energy use within apartments, to help tenants understand where their energy is going and why bills might be spiking.”
The Human Side of Land lordship
Beyond the numbers, Harjeet admits there is a strong emotional element to being a landlord. Each project is a long journey, requiring time, energy, and investment to create a home that is both functional and welcoming. His passion for improving the standard of rental accommodation sometimes influences his investment decisions, but always with the tenant’s best interests at heart.
“The team invest a lot of time and energy getting it right for the tenant. As a modern landlord, I’m always looking at continual improvements to stay ahead and offer tenants the best possible experience.”
Looking Ahead
Future plans at Harrison Group include greater integration of solar panels and heat pumps. With the right infrastructure, apartments could run entirely on solar electricity, significantly reducing reliance on the mains grid.
“This not only means lower bills for tenants,” Harjeet explains, “but also the potential to sell excess electricity back to the grid. It’s about creating homes that are efficient, affordable, and sustainable for the long term.”
This case study highlights the growing importance of energy efficiency in the rental sector. By investing in modern technologies and efficient refurbishments, landlords like Harjeet not only meet regulatory standards but also strengthen tenant relationships, reduce costs, and create long-term stability for their business.
For landlords, energy efficiency is no longer just a compliance issue—it is a strategic advantage that benefits both tenants and property owners alike.
“It costs nothing to run, integrates with the Triton HeatRepeat electric shower, and even improves the performance of electric heat pumps. What I like is that it’s a true ‘fit and forget’ technology—tenants don’t even know it’s there”
Harjeet Cheema, Director, Harrison Group