Thursday, 12/12/2024 | 08:53 GMT+7
Citizens Advice has added its voice to calls for a funding package for landlords carrying out energy efficiency improvements to their properties.
The news comes as the Government pledged to ‘consider’ costs for private and social landlords when consulting on minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES).
The proposed consultation on plans to introduce a minimum EPC rating of C in rented homes by 2030 is expected to be launched by the Government by the end of the year.
Citizens Advice – a network of charities offering independent advice – has published its own report ahead of the process on preparing private rented sector landlords for the changes up ahead.
Key recommendations in the paper include calls for the Government to:
Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes has tabled a number of questions on the energy efficiency of private rented housing, including questions on the merits of providing support for landlords with increasing the energy efficiency of properties that are difficult to retrofit.
The Minister for Energy Efficiency, Miatta Fahnbulleh said landlords can use the gov.uk website to find out about existing schemes, the Home Upgrade Grant and the Great British Insulation Scheme, and said the consultation will include firm proposals on maximum spend required from landlords and the exemptions regime to manage the cost burden - including those who own properties that are difficult to retrofit.
She also confirmed ‘the Government will work closely with both the private and socially rented sectors during the consultations and will consider potential costs for private landlords and social housing providers in our assessment of options for the minimum energy efficiency standards’, with a legislative timetable to be set out ‘in due course’.
When asked about proposed changes to the way EPC ratings are calculated, the minister said responses to the previous administration’s consultation on the proposed Home Energy Model were being considered, with a response to be published in a few months.
The NRLA – while welcoming the investment the government is making in offering grants for improvements to low-income households – is calling for more funding across the board to help landlords meet the proposed new standards.
