Properties in the private rental sector will need to reach a minimum Energy Performance Certificate level of C by 2030, under plans confirmed by Labour’s Ed Miliband.
The Conservative Party had plans for a similar policy last parliament, which Rishi Sunak scrapped in September 2023.
Miliband, energy security and net zero secretary, said: “We all know that the poorest people in our country often live in cold, draughty homes. It is a Tory legacy. It is a Tory scandal. It is a Tory outrage. This government will not tolerate this injustice and we will end it.
“And because being Labour means we raise our sights to tackle injustice, we will go further and faster than promised in our manifesto: ensuring every rented home reaches decent standards of energy efficiency.”
The EPC drive will be part of a wider Warm Homes Plan, which will offer more funding for energy efficiency and rooftop solar.
Labour will consult on the EPC proposals by the end of the year.
Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “The NRLA wants to see all rented properties become as energy efficient as possible. However, the government’s approach must involve a clear and comprehensive plan which recognises that the sector has some of the oldest, and hardest to improve, properties in the UK’s housing stock.
“The sector needs a clear trajectory setting out what will be expected of it and by when. This plan must also ensure sufficient numbers of tradespeople are in place to undertake the work that will be required.
“Alongside this, as the Committee on Fuel Poverty has warned, is the need for a financial package to support investment in energy efficiency measures. At present, the private rented sector is the only housing tenure without a bespoke package to support work to upgrade homes.”
In 2022 just 45% of private rented properties in England had an EPC rating above C.
Ben Twomey, chief executive of tenant campaign group Generation Rent, said: “The commitment to raise minimum energy efficiency standards in privately rented homes to EPC Band C is welcome, but must happen as soon as possible. This is a no-brainer to lift tenants out of poverty, improve our health, and address climate change all at once. One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, and we cannot face another six winters in cold homes.
“Any consultation must keep tenant concerns at the centre of this change, and home improvements should be paid for in grants that already exist for households at risk of fuel poverty. Renters must be protected from eviction and exploitation when grants received in our name improve the value of our landlords’ assets, while the government needs to be prepared to get tough with non-compliant landlords.”
Miliband was speaking at Labour’s annual party conference in Liverpool.
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