Tenants living in some of the coldest homes in England and Wales are set to benefit from amended regulations requiring landlords to install energy efficiency measures.
On the 5th of November Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry announced that tenants who live in some of the coldest homes in England and Wales are going to benefit from amended regulations requiring landlords to install energy efficient measures. 2018 has seen an attempt to improve these conditions with support to cover costs but these new plans go further as they require landlords to cover the costs themselves.
During 2019, properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G, the lowest 2 energy efficiency ratings available, must be made warmer by landlords before they can be put on the rental market for new tenancies. This has been predicted to cost £1,200 on average and will affect 290,000 properties, representing around 6% of the overall domestic market.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry said:
While the vast majority of landlords take great pride in the properties they own, a minority still rent out housing that is difficult to keep warm. Upgrading these homes so they are more energy efficient is one of the most effective ways to tackle fuel poverty and help bring down bills for their tenants, saving them £180 a year.
Everyone should be protected against the cold in their own home and today’s announcement will bring this reality closer.
Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP said:
I strongly welcome these new measures, which will help improve the coldest homes, protecting tenants whilst also saving them money.
This builds on our on-going work to crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords and drive up standards in the Private Rented Sector, including through our reviews of health and safety standards and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in the home.
The official www.gov.uk states:
– Landlords to be required to install energy efficiency measures in homes with the lowest energy performance ratings
– Upgrades expected to save tenants an average of £180 a year on their bills
– Part of the government’s commitment to eradicating fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions
