Urgent call for delivery plan for 2030 EPC rules – Mortgage Strategy

A cross-sector report has urged the government to provide urgent clarity on its delivery plan to ensure rental properties meet new energy performance certificate (EPC) standards by 2030.

The National Residential Landlords Association and Energy Saving Trust
organised a round table in June for stakeholder groups to discuss how to ensure landlords comply with stricter minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) by the government’s deadline.

By October 2030, all rental properties in England and Wales will be required to reach a minimum EPC rating of C, unless they qualify for an exemption.

Chaired by former chair of the housing, communities and local government committee Clive Betts, the session brought together representatives from charities, think tanks and industry bodies.

Participants included Citizens Advice, Energy Saving Trust, Independent Age, National Energy Action, E3G, UK Finance, the Property Energy Professionals Association, the MCS Foundation, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and UK100.

Following the meeting, NRLA and Energy Saving Trust compiled a report setting out recommendations.

It puts forward a number of urgent priorities and highlights barriers that must be addressed for the reforms to succeed.

These include the need for a greater number of installers to make the changes rental properties require.

The report says that without a roadmap from the government, businesses will not have certainty over future demand for installers and may be reluctant to invest in training and apprenticeships.

Participants also called for the government to work with lenders to ensure the right finance is available for improvements.

The report found that landlords and tenants need access to clear, consistent and trusted advice.

There should also be a proper complaints and redress scheme, as well as enforcement from local authorities.

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle says: “Landlords want to provide homes that are warmer, cheaper to heat and fit for the future.

“The changes announced by the government earlier this year have made the proposed framework more workable.

“The challenge now is making sure it can actually be delivered.

“2030 may sound some way off, but in retrofit terms it is just around the corner.

“If investment is left until the final years, we risk a scramble for installers, finance and advice that drives up costs and makes the government’s targets harder to achieve.”

Clive Betts says: “Improving the energy efficiency of the rental housing stock is a vital part of the government’s mission to address cost-of-living pressures and improve conditions across the sector.

“Ministers now need to turn welcome ambitions into reality on the ground.

“The proposals being published today would achieve that and I urge the government to take the recommendations seriously.”

Energy Saving Trust head of sector intelligence Stew Horne says: “New energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector are an important step towards upgrading privately-rented homes to make them warmer and more efficient for renters.

“To ensure successful delivery of these standards, it is essential that the right support is in place for both landlords and tenants.

“Access to green finance products, such as low-cost loans, will support landlords to invest in their properties, alongside tailored, in-depth advice to help them navigate the requirements and identify suitable measures.

“Tenants should also have access to the guidance and support they need to operate low carbon technologies once installed.”