In response to Housing Secretary Michael Gove’s call for a delay to energy efficiency plans for rented housing, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), has expressed concern.
Beadle highlighted the significant amount of time that has passed since the Government’s consultation on energy efficiency standards in rented homes: “It is over two years since the Government completed its consultation on energy efficiency standards in rented homes.
“As a result of the delay in responding to this, there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines, as we told the Minister earlier this month.”
Under the Government’s initial proposal, all new tenancies would need to be for properties with an energy performance rating of C or better by April 2025.
This would be extended to all private rented housing by April 2028. Furthermore, a national cap on the amount landlords would need to contribute to improvements was proposed at £10,000.
Gove has since voiced his perspective in a Sunday Telegraph interview, saying: “My own strong view is that we’re asking too much too quickly.
“We do want to move towards greater energy efficiency, but just at this point, when landlords face so much, I think that we should relax the pace that’s been set for people in the private rented sector, particularly because many of them are currently facing a big capital outlay in order to improve that efficiency.”
Beadle affirmed the NRLA’s commitment to working towards energy efficient properties, but underscored the necessity of a clear path forward. He said: “The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.
“Ministers need to develop a proper plan that includes a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.
“We will continue to work with all parties to develop pragmatic and workable proposals.”
