This applies to England and Wales

Further from our news feed that was issued on 14 October 2020. Anyone that would like to respond to the consultation, the end date has been extended until the 08 January 2021,

The Government want to improve the energy efficiency for private rented properties. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard was introduced which meant from 1 April 2018 if a property had an energy efficiency rating of an F or a G it could not be let, unless the landlord had registered an exemption.

From 1 April 2020 a landlord is unable to continue to let a property with the energy efficiency rating that is below an E unless an exemption has been registered.

The plan was that all rented properties would have to be band D by 2025 and then band C by 2030.

The Government are now proposing the energy rating be increased to a C rating by 2025 for new tenancies and all tenancies by 2028. In order to do this they are proposing the landlord will have to spend up to £10,000 per property to achieve this level before an exemption could be registered. Research suggests the average cost will be £4,700.

The longer term plan is for properties to be carbon neutral by 2050.

The Government have released a consultation as well as an action plan as to how they think it could be achievable. Please see the links below.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/922667/improving-energy-performance-privately-rented-homes.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/922660/EPC_Action_Plan.pdf