Older renters fear rent rises and evictions under EPC targets

A charity has urged the government to guarantee that EPC targets deliver benefits for older renters.

Research from Independent Age reveals that 63% of older tenants would be worried about a rent increase, while 35% would fear eviction if their landlord carried out work to improve the condition and energy efficiency of their home.

The findings come after the government announced that all private rented properties will be required to meet EPC C targets by 2030.

Older private renters live in cold homes

Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive at Independent Age said: “We welcome the UK government’s commitment to improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector. Older private renters often live in the oldest, coldest homes, and coupled with this, are a group more likely to be in poverty. Staying warm is especially important as we age but heating a home which isn’t energy efficient can feel like throwing money down the drain.

“The older private renters we spoke to for this report told us their walls are stone cold, that they’re terrified of getting into energy debt, are skipping meals, and that they feel powerless to try to improve their situation.

“While we are pleased to see the government’s focus on supporting low-income households, working with older tenants and landlords is vital to the success of this policy. Improvement works must consider the impact on people, as well as the properties.”

Nervous about disruption

According to the report, while 74% of older tenants would be willing to live with some disruption to live in a more energy-efficient home, some older renters are nervous of the disruption that improvements could cause.

Independent Age is calling on the government to link any grants or loans for energy efficiency improvements to protections for older renters, including safeguards against excessive rent increases and evictions.

The charity also says landlords and tenants should work together on improvement plans, with allowances made to help older renters remain in their homes. Where this is not possible, financial support should be available to cover temporary relocation.

Independent Age adds that more funding is needed to improve poor housing conditions and that standards should be aligned to support energy upgrades.