EPC ratings in the PRS don’t appear to be markedly different to those in owner-occupied homes, according to Office for National Statistics data.

Its latest energy efficiency of housing for England and Wales statistics reveal that although most owner-occupied homes were rated in band D, a larger proportion achieved a band B than rented properties in all English regions and Wales. Social rented homes were most commonly rated in band C.

West Midlands

However, in the West Midlands, for example, only 62% of private rented homes had a D rating or lower, compared with 68% of owner-occupied homes and 44% of social housing. There were some even larger disparities, such as in Wales, where 66% of private rented properties had a D rating or lower compared with owner occupied homes (74%) and social housing (29%). In London, 52% of private rented homes had a D rating or lower compared with owner occupied homes (61%) and social housing (41%).

Blackpool

Meanwhile, a study by Uswitch remortgaging found that Blackpool is home to England’s least energy efficient properties, as just 2.2% of the town’s homes have an EPC rating of A or B.

All of England’s five local authorities with the most inefficient properties can be found in the North, while four of the most environmentally friendly areas are in the South. London’s Tower Hamlets has the most energy efficient properties in Great Britain, with almost two in five (37%) certified with a high EPC rating.

Landlords with poorer rated properties now have longer to rectify any failings after the government’s U-turn on forcing the sector to meet tougher Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

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