Will new statutory EPC C targets force tenants to leave their homes?

Reply to the comment left by Arthur Oxford at 16/10/2024 – 11:13
It is a ground floor one bedroom flat sticking out of the rear of a Victorian building, so 3 exterior walls. It had single glazed sash windows, no heating and the only source of hot water was from an electric shower. Part solid concrete floor, part suspended timber floor. The only good thing was the low energy light bulbs.

Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 16/10/2024 – 12:29
I think I holidayed there in the mid 50’s ! ?

It is blatantly obvious that when the time comes and your rented property is a D or lower rated EPC, then the Government will prevent the landlord from charging or receiving rent. The landlord will probably be fined and they will make sure the tenant remains in your property, rent free for as long as it takes to ensure you act like a charity and provide the tenant with everything that a hard working home owner has to pay for themselves. Soon, all us landlords will be able to qualify as a Charity.

Reply to the comment left by fairwood789 at 16/10/2024 – 15:57
We all do exactly that now . They’re called migrants.

In simple terms NO the tenant will not need to be kicked out if the property does not achieve a C. The current MEES regulations clearly state that a breach of the MEES regulations does not impact upon the tenancy itself.
It is the landlord that would be in breach and it is for the landlord to ensure compliance.
However, there are a number of exemptions available, not least a refusal by the tenant to allow access to undertake any necessary works would be just one of these exemptions. Equally, a refusal by a third party such as the freeholder to allow such works to be undertaken would also count as a valid exemption. There are some other exemptions which apply and may be relied on and specific guidance should be sought from your suitably qualified AND insured energy assessor for such MEES support.
The exemptions are intended to allow compliance to be achieved, notwithstanding the EPC has not achieved a C.
Two routes to compliance
(1) EPC achieve a required rating – E currently and C in the future
(2) EPC achieves the highest rating possible considering the circumstances (including cost, refusals etc) plus a valid exemption claim.

Tenants may well be forced to buy their homes from the landlord. Or perhaps, rent them from the Council with landlords letting them via the Council.

Not allowed to rent it privately but welcome to own it or rent it socially.

And some people thought Boris was bonkers!

We are still applying the current exemption regime to a potentially new system; with the constantly moving goalposts I think it unwise to rely on current guidelines for this governments future actions.

I wonder why the gov’t allows freeholder refusal to be a valid excuse?

I mean, why not just force the same unjust expectations onward and upward throughout the whole chain?

(Just thinking aloud…)