Government ‘must set efficiency standards for private rented sector’

In a joint statement, organisations including the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), National Energy Action, and the Energy Saving Trust, say that regulations must be introduced without delay to allow landlords as much time as possible to improve their properties ahead of a standard coming into force. It was expected that regulations would be laid in Parliament in late 2013 or early 2014, but a public consultation has yet to be published.  

The statement also says that the minimum standard must be clearly specified as being EPC Band E, and exemptions to the regulations (such as listed buildings) must be kept to an absolute minimum, otherwise the regulations will be too complex and easy to evade.

Of the 22.8m households in England in 2011, 4m were privately rented (17.5 per cent) – an increase of 1.6m in only six years – and the highest level since the early 1990s. The private rented sector has the highest proportion (11 per cent) of the most energy inefficient homes (those in EPC Bands F and G). This compares to the social housing sector, which has less than 2 per cent of its stock in the F and G Bands.

Some lobbying groups have argued that all pre-1919 buildings be exempted from the regulations. However, with no fewer than 65 per cent of F and G rated privately rented homes having been built before this date, it is thought that it is thought that such an exemption would drastically limit the scope of the standard. 

John Alker, director of policy and communications at UK-GBC, said: “A minimum energy efficiency standard is not only crucial for upgrading the UK’s poorly performing privately rented homes, but would also give a much needed boost to the flagging Green Deal. Government is long overdue in setting out this standard, creating uncertainty for both landlords and tenants.”