The government looks set to launch its overdue consultation into new energy efficiency standards in the PRS during the next few weeks.
It has gone quiet since announcing the consultation last September when it pledged “to take action to reverse these failures of the past and stand with tenants” and committed to consult by the end of the year on boosting minimum energy efficiency standards for private and social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.
Private rented homes can currently be rented out if they have an E band EPC, while social rented homes have no minimum energy efficiency standard at all.
When asked in a written question about its plans, Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “The government will consult shortly on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation will include proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.”
She added: "In this consultation, we will set out proposals on the exemptions regime for properties that cannot meet the proposed increased standard. We encourage landlords and other key stakeholders to feed into this consultation when it is published."
The government launched a consultation into changes to the EPC system in December, which include proposals to reduce the validity periods for EPCs, changing how EPCs are calculated, and expanding the current rules so all HMOs will be required to have an EPC certificate. This consultation closes in February.
A recent report reveals that a third of all homes for sale in Britian have an EPC rating below a C, according to epIMS analysis, while it’s estimated that the average cost of bringing a rental property up to a C band in England would be £8,000.
Enforcement standards are already under scrutiny ahead of any proposed changes, as Reapit found that the country’s biggest councils had only issued 147 fines between October 2008 and August 2024 to rogue landlords who did not comply with current EPC rules.
Tags:
Comments