Consultation launched on rented home standards

The government is to consult on plans to mandate all private landlords in England and Wales to meet higher energy performance ratings in their properties by 2030.

48 per cent of private rented homes in England already have a Energy Performance Certificate rated C or above, but the government wants to ensure this good practice is extended to all properties in the sector.

By 2030, all private landlords will be required to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties – up from the current level of EPC E.

Landlords will be required to invest in measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, ensuring homes are warmer and more affordable for tenants.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: "For far too long we have seen too many tenants plagued by shoddy and poor conditions in their homes and this government is taking swift action to right the wrongs of the past.

"Through our Plan for Change we are driving up housing standards, improving quality of life, and slashing energy bills for working people and families.

"Today is just one of many steps we are taking to deliver on our promise to transform the lives of millions of renters across the country, so families can put down roots and raise their children in secure and healthy homes."

The government is now seeking views from tenants and landlords on the proposals, which include offering landlords a choice over how to meet energy efficiency standards and a maximum cap of £15,000 per property for landlords, with support currently available from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Warm Homes: Local Grant. There are also proposals for an an affordability exemption, which would lower the cost cap to £10,000 and could be applied based on lower rents or council tax band and requiring all landlords to meet the new standard by 2030 at the latest, providing an extra 2 years compared with previous proposals.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: "For years tenants have been abandoned and forgotten as opportunities to deliver warm homes and lower energy bills have been disregarded and ignored.

"As part of our Plan for Change, these new changes could save renters £240 a year by raising the efficiency of homes to cut the cost of bills.

"These plans will also make sure that all private landlords are investing in their properties, building on the good work of many to upgrade their homes to Energy Performance Certificate C or higher already."

Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, said: "Private rented sector tenants have far greater risk of being in fuel poverty particularly in low-cost older homes. The lack of investment by some landlords to end the scandal of cold homes has gone on for too long.

"In the last 5 years the efforts to reduce fuel poverty flatlined. I welcome the focus on improving standards in the private rented sector and the opportunity to reset and re-energise England’s Fuel Poverty Strategy."