Charity demands EPC C targets as soon as possible but landlords struggle in accessing grants and high costs

A charity claims energy efficiency standards should be raised to EPC C as soon as possible in the private rented sector, but landlords who try to access grants for improvements often face challenges.

Independent Age says older renters over 65 are more likely to live in older, colder homes that are hard to heat and pose greater health risks, and is calling for targeted support for older renters before, during, and after energy efficiency improvements are made to their homes.

The charity is also urging the government to support landlords in making their properties more energy efficient through better access to grants.

Lack of trust in EPC ratings

According to a report by Independent Age, despite a large number of older renters (66%) supporting raising minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in the private rented sector from E to C, there was a lack of trust in EPC ratings.

One renter told the report that the methods used to calculate EPCs were unreliable.

The renter said: “I’ve been present when EPCs are done and it’s very formulaic – they don’t do any measurements.

If I stand in my bay window, I can feel a draught even though it has double glazing. The numbers are nonsense.”

The research shows that both older tenants and landlords support reducing the length of time that EPCs are valid.

Independent Age is urging the government to shorten the validity period of EPCs from 10 years to five, or to require renewal at key points, such as after upgrade work, to ensure they remain up to date.

Homes in the PRS need to be brought up to higher standards

Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age said: “Living in a cold home is awful at any age, and for older people it is especially dangerous. Not only do low temperatures put your mental and physical health at risk, but we speak to older private renters who have been forced to skip meals or wash in cold water so they can afford to heat their energy inefficient home.

“It’s vital that the UK government acts to ensure homes in the private rented sector are brought up to higher standards of energy efficiency. Not only will this help reach the UK’s net-zero targets, importantly, it will mean older private renters on a low income do not have to live in a home that is dangerous for their health.”

Difficulty in accessing grants

The research also reveals only 38% of landlords in England were aware of existing grants and programmes to improve their properties’ EPC rating.

However, for those who were aware of the grants, many faced challenges in accessing them.

One landlord explains how they had no communication at all, even after complying with all the guidelines.

The landlord told the report: “I never heard a thing and I complied with all the guidelines. Getting local workman companies to do the work for us and providing the names of the companies.

“We did everything that we had to do but, as I say, not even an acknowledgement – ‘Your application has been received and will be looked at.’ Nothing.”

Tax incentives

More than half of landlords (58%) say cost is a barrier to retrofitting their homes, with landlords who own only one or two properties facing a lack of capital to invest in improvements.

The government claims tenants will save £240 a year on their energy bills under the new EPC C requirements. However, the government fails to mention the cost to landlords and tenants.

According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), landlords would need to spend an average of £6,100 to £6,800 per property to meet these energy targets.

However, landlords say they would be willing to carry out energy-efficiency improvements if provided with tax incentives.

Research from Citizens Advice found that among landlords who said they would sell their properties if MEES were tightened, 38% would reassess if spending on energy efficiency improvements were deductible against Income Tax rather than Capital Gains Tax.