The great EPC fiasco: Labour’s Net Zero madness WILL cripple landlords
11 months ago | 15 comments
Government to train thousands of retrofit workers but EPC C targets may be ‘impossible’
12:01 AM, 13th May 2025, 11 months ago
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The government have announced plans to train more than 18,000 retrofit professionals to meet energy-efficiency targets.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has welcomed the news but says more work needs to be done to support landlords to meet those targets.
Ed Miliband, Energy Security and Net-Zero Secretary, has proposed all private rented properties need to meet EPC C targets by 2030 and 2028 for new tenancies.
Install heat pumps and solar panels
The government claims it will train up to 18,000 people with the skills needed to install heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and heat networks, through the extension of the Heat Training Grant and the launch of the Warm Homes Skills Programme.
The programme, which will run until July next year, will see the government invest £8 million to subsidise training for up to 9,000 installers and retrofit professionals.
The government also claims it will invest £5 million to extend the Heat Training Grant until March 2026, which it says will support the training of 5,500 new heat pump installers and 3,500 heat network professionals.
According to government figures, more than 10,000 people have already been trained.
An impossible task?
However, the NRLA warns that meeting EPC C targets could be an impossible task, with 5,000 retrofits needing to be completed every day.
NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle said: “We are pleased the government has recognised the significant issues posed by the shortage of skilled professionals in these key areas, however, more investment is needed.
“According to the Heat Pump Association there will need to be an extra 22,700 full-time heat pumps installers alone to meet demand – which gives you some idea of the scale of the challenge.
“Indeed, we estimate for all 2.5million homes to reach the proposed minimum EPC C target 5,000 homes a day would need to be upgraded, something we consider an impossible task.”
Mr Beadle adds more financial support needs to be provided to landlords to meet EPC C targets.
He adds: “We will continue to lobby the government for increased financial support for landlords and encourage them to go back to the drawing board when it comes to the timeframes.”
Removing outdated planning policy barriers
Meanwhile, the government has announced new measures that will make it easier for homeowners in England to install heat pumps.
From the end of May, new planning rules will come into force, removing some of the current restrictions around air source heat pump installations under permitted development rights.
One of the key changes is the removal of the rule that prevents an air source heat pump from being installed within one metre of a property boundary.
The government will also increase the maximum allowable size of an air source heat pump under permitted development from 0.6 cubic metres to 1.5 cubic metres.
Daniel Sarefjord, CEO of clean-energy company Aira, praised the new rules.
He said: “Residential heat pumps have come a very long way since permitted development rights were last reviewed. By removing outdated planning policy barriers, the government will help the industry to focus resources on installing more heat pumps, creating thousands of new roles within the green skills workforce across the country”.
Tags:
energy efficiency, EPC C targets, government green skills training, heat pump installation, Heat Training Grant, Insulation, NRLA, retrofit professionals, solar panel installation, Warm Homes Skills Programme
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Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 57
3:18 AM, 13th May 2025, About 11 months ago
How is a heat pump going to benefit my end terrace with an alleyway the other side i.e whole downstairs detached?
Even with large double rads the house take a lot to heat.
Plus no south facing roof for solar panels
If the Government want to spend the £25,000 it will cost to externally insulate the property then be my guest, please carry out the works as long as you give me a 25 year guarantee
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 92
1:10 PM, 13th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Call me cynical but an apprenticeship in a trade used to be a minimum of 4 years, at which point you were let loose on the world with some guided knowledge to gain experience. How good are these guys going to be with a few weeks training if they are green to the trade? Could be refitting retrofits very quickly
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 94
5:35 PM, 13th May 2025, About 11 months ago
What will £900 per trainee achieve? The NRLA should focus on the lack of credibility of so-called green energy initiatives, the woeful inefficiency of most energy saving measures, the inadequacy of the EPC system and the true cost to landlords and tenants from Miliband’s vanity project.
Member Since August 2024 - Comments: 24
6:07 PM, 13th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Another useless government “initiative “, created by the net zero zealots.
Unless they change the EPC then heat pumps just DROP the rating.
One of my properties is a D…the only way to get to a C is by installing solar panels and a windmill out back !!!
Everything else is already above standard….the reason it is a D?? It has too many windows!!!!
Have you noticed the new build window sizes and quantity?? Guess how they got B ratings !
Member Since November 2019 - Comments: 150
7:09 AM, 14th May 2025, About 11 months ago
What proportion of heat pumps fitted have been removed after a short period because the Home owners were not happy.
How many properties have been cladded and it has caused damp problems ?
If all of this is so wonderful why does it it only private rental properties ?
Who in the right mind is going to dig a concrete floor up put insulation in and refloor at a cost of £6000 to £8000 to save £38 a year ?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 3
10:10 AM, 14th May 2025, About 11 months ago
When such nonsense is talked by government I have absolutely no faith they will back pedal on this. Tories want renting in the hands of corporations and this government pandars to the the vision of landlords as just being money grubbing swine .
So, as my tenants are eligible for it, I’m in the process of having Eco4 work done. In the 7th week now.
It’s terrifying to trust that these people won’t completely ruin the 4 flats in my all electric stone built property, Fortunately there’s no land for an ASHP!
Even though I’m using what appears to be a competent outfit I go to sleep thinking of mushrooms growing out of the walls and mould devastating the place. When I point out problems I have been told I should remember I’m getting £80k of work for free, which is an outrageous response. This is the attitude of many installers.
To achieve the jump from EPC E to A I am getting solar panels that are my responsibility. The excess electric from my roof is going to my tenants because they are on low incomes and this work is being done because of that, so I think it’s fair, but should any of them move out I will take the SEG to pay for it’s upkeep.
£80k has been spent to save my tenants at most £500 per year and as that’s over a month’s rent for my tenants, that’s a good thing on one level.Perhaps simply giving them cheaper electric would be a better use of the money.
I can only sell this property in the private rented sector so I had no choice.
Given a choice, I would have sold and bought a house or 2 with an EPC B….not many around in Wales. My tenants on low income would be made homeless.
Hoping 25 year guarantees are worth the paper they are printed on and at least the work is being done by people with over 10 years in the business.
Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 6
11:19 AM, 14th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Upskilling workers for the retrofit sector is a vital step, but it’s clear that achieving EPC C across the board will require more than just training—it needs public awareness and financial accessibility too.
Through the Great British Insulation Scheme https://greatbritishinsulationschemes.com/ , we’re seeing how targeted insulation support can help households meet EPC goals more affordably. A combined approach of workforce training, funding, and homeowner support is key to real progress.