Generation Rent slams government for scrapping EPC targets

Generation Rent slams government for scrapping EPC targets

0:01 AM, 12th December 2023, About 5 months ago 13

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A tenant activist group is raging at the shelving of EPC targets calling the move “appalling”.

Generation Rent told the London Assembly that scrapping EPC rules for landlords “is a terrible move from the government” and they would like to see a reversal of the targets as soon as possible.

The legislation would have required landlords to ensure their rental properties had a minimum EPC rating of C.

The mooted deadline was 2025 for new tenancies, and by 2028 for all tenancies.

No stick for landlords

Connor O’Shea, policy and public affairs manager at Generation Rent, said: “The decision to shelve minimum energy efficiency standards is appalling.

“It’s a terrible move from the government and we would like to see that reversed as soon as possible.”

Despite the availability of government-funded grants for property improvement, Generation Rent feels landlords are not being sufficiently pressured to use them.

Mr O’Shea said: “One of the key reasons for the terrible state of the private rented sector when it comes to energy efficiency, damp and mould, is that there’s no incentive for landlords to bring up the level of energy efficiency in the homes.

“Firstly, landlords don’t live in these homes, and they don’t pay the bills broadly. That’s a natural reason why landlords might not want to improve energy efficiency standards.

“Without this regulation, there’s no stick for landlords to bring it up to standard.”

Protections for tenants

Generation Rent argues that tenants are more likely to face eviction if they want energy efficiency improvements done to the property.

Mr O’Shea said: “There are plenty of government-funded grants that are available for tenants and landlords to help bring the position of their private rented property up to a decent energy efficiency standard and they’re not being used.

“The key reason why they’re not being used is that tenants know that they’re particularly vulnerable to eviction or a rent increase after that happens.”

The tenant activist group says there is no protection for tenants in this situation.

“There’s no protection for a tenant if a property is improved under government money. For a landlord who then goes, this property is now of a higher standard than it was before, therefore, I’m going to increase your rent, or therefore, I’m going to evict you and put someone else in.

“This is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Protections for tenants who can then take up these eco grants and use their own status to improve the quality of their home and ultimately reduce damp and mould.”

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Comments

Fed Up Landlord

17:17 PM, 12th December 2023, About 5 months ago

Just been reported by a tenant for disrepair at a 15 year old modern two bed centrally heated, fully insulated flat EPC " B" due to " damp and mould" when she was told it was her fault. For drying clothes in the flat. For taping over air bricks. For not opening windows or trickle vents. For not having the heating on.

Well she can buy her own flat and wreck it because once its done and dusted it's being sold and she can go away and live somewhere else.

Lomondhomes

13:05 PM, 13th December 2023, About 5 months ago

They have the choice of choosing which EPC rating they wish. The shortage of choice and of housing has only the government and councils to blame

john thompson

18:23 PM, 13th December 2023, About 5 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Fed Up Landlord at 12/12/2023 - 17:17
Usual story, but with Goves moronic reasoning and policy, its your fault and you will be the one to blame!
And if it ever goes to court no need for tennant to worry about cost as they will be paid for by the government (more accurately our taxes) as the government doesn't want tennants stressed out about it all, while your costs are your problem.

You couldn't make it up!
No wonder landlords are giving up in droves.

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