WHAT ARE GREEN MORTGAGES

Broadly speaking, a green mortgage is one that rewards someone for buying or owning an energy-efficient home by offering them more favourable terms than come as standard. At the moment that typically means either getting a slightly lower interest rate, or cashback when you take out the mortgage, or both.

Eligibility criteria for a green mortgage varies from lender to lender, but the property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is typically a key factor. Homes are required to have an energy efficiency rating of 81 or above, or is in energy efficiency bands A or B - of which all Countryside homes fall into.

A green mortgage is a mortgage which offers a lower interest rate to people who are buying a more energy efficient home. In most cases, to qualify for a green mortgage, you need to be buying a home with a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least B3 or higher.