Campaign helps councils ban renting of homes with poor energy performance

New funding from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will support councils in engaging with difficult to reach landlords to tackle poor energy performance in rental properties.

Since April last year privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of EPC band E, making it illegal to rent out homes below that unless landlords have a limited exemption.

The rule change is expected to see energy efficiency upgrades such as loft insulation, double glazing and cavity wall insulation installed in around 290,000 properties.

The £4.3m fund will support measures including local radio ads, roadshows and workshops with landlords to raise awareness of new rules on energy performance, as well as free property surveys, targeted mail reminders and translation services to reach landlords who are not currently complying.

Business and energy minister, Lord Callanan, said: ‘This funding will help councils to support landlords with these important energy efficiency changes, but also enforce these standards, helping tackle fuel poverty and ensuring everyone can live in a warm home with fair energy bills.

‘Heating our homes and buildings makes up almost a third of all carbon emissions, meaning raising the energy efficiency of our properties is something we all have to contribute to help us build back greener and reach our world leading climate ambitions.’

Minister of state for energy and clean growth, Greg Hands, added: ‘Ensuring our buildings and homes are powered by clean energy is an essential step we need to take in order to meet our target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

‘The UK government is stepping up to the challenge with a new Green Home Finance programme to help drive forward the development of cutting-edge green finance products and services for homeowners that will not only transform the nation’s green property landscape, but also help create more green jobs, as we build back greener.’

In related news, new guidance sets out the Mayor of London’s vision for a sustainable future, ensuring developments in the capital are greener, more energy efficient and prioritise space for walkers, cyclists, and public transport.

Photo by Erik Mclean