Government to Boost Energy Efficiency for Rental Properties

Over 1 million households are set to be lifted out of fuel poverty, as the government announces plans for the biggest potential boost to home energy standards in history.

Families across the country are continuing to grapple with the consequences of high energy bills amid a cost-of-living crisis – with too many tenants exposed to a harsh daily reality of cold, draughty homes and expensive bills.

Government intervention is now planned in a bid to transform living standards and deliver the safety and security of warmer, cheaper homes that are free from damp and mould.

Energy standards are set to rise from EPC E to C

The Energy Secretary pledged to take action to reverse failures of the past and stand with tenants, with a commitment to consult by the end of the year on boosting minimum energy efficiency standards for private and social rented homes by 2030.

Currently, private rented homes can be rented out if they meet Energy Performance Certificate E, while social rented homes have no minimum energy efficiency standard at all.

The government will now shortly consult on proposals for private and social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.

The Warm Homes Plan seeks to make homes greener and cheaper to run

The government has also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, and confirmed the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to support social housing providers and tenants.

Yesterday’s announcements kickstart delivery of the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps.