The government had proposed that all new tenancies in the private rented sector should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2025. This should then be extended to all tenancies by 2028.
The consultation closed in January last year but there has been no response to it and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has said this has led to “uncertainty about what will be expected of the sector”.
The NRLA said that in light of “failure to provide any concrete steps forward” the government should “make clear” the dates outlined in the consultation were “unrealistic”.
It also called for a “definitive timetable” for the publication of a response to the consultation and required legislation thereafter.
In the consultation, the government also proposed that all landlords should pay up to £10,000 to make “necessary improvements”.
The NRLA said that the amount landlords should pay should be linked to average market rents in the areas.
The proposals mean that that amount paid could vary from £5,000 to £10,000 depending on rental values.
The trade body also called for package of fiscal measures to support investment, including a new tax allowance who are making works towards reaching net zero.
According to the UK parliament website, the second reading of the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill is due to take place on 23 March.
There is currently no publications for this bill, and a representative for Sarah Olney, who is the MP sponsor, said that information would be shared towards the date of the second reading.
The first reading took place on 20 June last year.
NRLA: ‘No hope of meeting energy targets’
Ben Beadle, NRLA’s chief executive, said: “We all want to see properties as energy efficient as possible. However, the government’s delay in responding to its consultation on energy standards in the private rented sector means its plans are dead in the water. The lack of clarity is playing a major part in holding back investment in the homes to rent tenants desperately need.
“In the interests of certainty, the government needs to admit what we all know, namely that it has no hope of meeting its proposed energy targets for the rental market.”
He added: “The plans as they currently stand, rely on a misguided assumption that landlords have unlimited sums of money. The proposals fail to accept the realities of different property and rental values across the country, and that the private rented sector contains some of the most difficult to retrofit homes.
“Ministers need a smarter approach with a proper financial package if we want to ensure improvements to the rental housing stock.”
