Around 3.2 million privately rented sector properties in England and Wales have an EPC rating of D or below.
PRS properties are among the least energy efficient in the domestic housing stock, costing over £6bn in energy bills in 2018 and producing GHG emissions of around 11 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) per annum.
Find out more about the PRS consultation on Gov.uk.
Investing in energy performance measures, such as insulation and low-carbon heating, delivers a wide range of benefits such as:
- Reducing emissions from homes
- Reducing energy bills
- Improving health and wellbeing.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards is an aim of the Clean Growth Strategy to have as many private rented homes as possible being upgraded to EPC Band C by 2030, where practical, cost effective and affordable.
The MEES regulations make it unlawful to let a PR property with an EPC rating below E, subject to various exemptions which must be registered online.
The Government intends to raise the minimum to C by 2030 and is currently consulting on how to implement this.
Newham Council will be ensuring that landlords/agents comply with this and any person found guilty will receive a financial penalty notice (FPN) of up to £5,000 per property, depending on the offence/s.
You can find out more about Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards on the gov.uk website.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO3) scheme places an obligation on the largest energy suppliers to improve the energy performance of homes. Tenants who are fuel poor, have a low income and vulnerable can benefit from certain types of insulation and heating measures under the scheme.
Find more information on ECO and how to apply on Newham’s Energy and sustainability page.
