Landlords to meet 2030 EPC deadline with a £15,000 cap – Government

Private landlords in England will need to upgrade their properties to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, under a consultation announced by the government.

Nottingham landlord Mick Roberts has hit out at the government plans saying they ‘will simply increase rents and make tenants homeless’ – see his hard hitting video below.

This new requirement, the government says, will improve living standards for renters and reduce energy costs.

Currently, 48% of private rentals already meet this standard.

The changes will necessitate investments in insulation, double glazing, and other energy-saving measures.

Inviting feedback from landlords

The government’s consultation is inviting feedback from tenants and landlords on plans to boost living standards in the PRS and lower energy costs. Key proposals include:

• Flexible upgrades: Landlords can choose how to achieve the required energy efficiency, starting with fundamental improvements like insulation and double glazing before considering options such as batteries, solar panels and smart meters
• Cost limits: A £15,000 per property cap is proposed, with funding available through existing schemes. An affordability exemption could reduce this to £10,000 based on rent levels or council tax band
• 2030 deadline: All rented homes must meet the new standard by 2030. Properties already rated A-C will remain compliant until their current EPC certificates expire.

A consultation on a revised fuel poverty strategy will also address home energy performance, affordability for low-income households, and protection from high energy prices.

Landlords slam Ed Miliband’s plans

One of Nottingham’s biggest landlords has slammed the government’s plans for EPC C targets arguing it will simply increase rents and make tenants homeless.

In a video to Ed Miliband, Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords to house benefit tenants, says the EPC C plans are bonkers.

Mick explains: “What if the tenant was paying cheap rent say £200 per month below the normal rate and suddenly the landlord has got to spend £6000 just to get to EPC C. What do you think is going to happen to that rent? Come and ask the tenant if they want to save £20 per month off their gas bill, but your rent will increase by £200 per month.

“These renter groups love hearing you talking and you get their votes, but in reality, you end up making their lives worse! Mick warns the EPC C changes will leave tenants homeless. Go after the bad landlords that are charging top whack and don’t fix their boiler. Leave alone the private tenants that haven’t got a problem. You say you’ve listened to tenants. You haven’t. You’ve only listened to the ones with problems. You say you have the backing of tenants.

“You don’t have my tenants’ backing. When are you coming to talk to them? They don’t contact you because they’re happy with how things are. Stop interfering with their lives. Ed, every time you talk, you make more tenants homeless.”

Watch Mick’s Roberts full video to Ed Milband below:

Landlords need a realistic plan

Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We all want to see rented homes as energy efficient as possible, but that will require a realistic plan to achieve this.

“The chronic shortage of tradespeople to carry out energy efficiency works needs to be addressed, alongside a targeted financial package to support investments in the work required as called for by the Committee on Fuel Poverty and Citizens Advice.”

He added: “Importantly, a realistic timetable is needed if the 2.5 million private rented homes, which will not currently meet the government’s proposed standards, are to be improved.”

Slashing energy bills for working people

Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary, Angela Rayner, said: “For far too long we have seen too many tenants plagued by shoddy and poor conditions in their homes and this government is taking swift action to right the wrongs of the past.

“Through our Plan for Change we are driving up housing standards, improving quality of life, and slashing energy bills for working people and families.

“Today is just one of many steps we are taking to deliver on our promise to transform the lives of millions of renters across the country, so families can put down roots and raise their children in secure and healthy homes.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “For years tenants have been abandoned and forgotten as opportunities to deliver warm homes and lower energy bills have been disregarded and ignored.

“As part of our Plan for Change, these new changes could save renters £240 a year by raising the efficiency of homes to cut the cost of bills.

“These plans will also make sure that all private landlords are investing in their properties, building on the good work of many to upgrade their homes to Energy Performance Certificate C or higher already.”