Answering the Government’s energy efficiency consultation: How to prepare your response.

Controversial plans to introduce a minimum EPC rating of C to privately rented homes are out for consultation - and we are encouraging you to have your say. 

The consultation deadline is 2 May, and it is vital that as many landlords as possible have their say on how the proposals will impact them. 

The Government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) consultation proposes landlords of the country’s 2.5 million rented homes with D-G ratings should pay up to £15,000 per property to bring them up to standard – with a deadline of as early as 2028. 

The NRLA believed this would be almost impossible in practice and – amongst other things, is asking the Government to go back to the drawing board when it comes to timescales. 

In our response, on behalf of you, our members, we will be asking for: 

• Timely and clear guidance: At present we are being told it will be 2026 before landlords will know exactly what the new requirements will be. We believe this is far too late in the day - which lead to our next point;  

• A realistic timescale for implementation: We are arguing the existing deadline, which would require all rental properties to be compliant by 2030 is impossible to achieve and could decimate the supply of homes to let. 

• A commitment to a comprehensive funding package available across the board: While some targeted funding has been announced, more support is needed 

• Confirmation of the methodology to be used to calculate EPCs: A separate Government consultation into the way in which EPCs are calculated has just concluded, with another on the Home Energy Model due later this year. 

• A commitment to training up tradespeople: There is currently a shortage of 166,000 skilled tradespeople, across the country which will rise to 250,000 by 2030, we want clear plans on how this skills gap can be bridged. 

• Exemptions for homes that cannot – for legitimate reasons – make the C grade: Examples of such properties would be those subject to heritage restrictions or with leasehold constraints. 

While the NRLA’s response will be made on behalf of all our members, there is strength in numbers, and the more responses from landlords pointing out the issues with proposals the better. 

Clear, coherent responses giving practical real-life examples are vital if we are to persuade the Government to revise its plans. 

With that in mind we have put together a document that will help you respond to the consultation document. It runs through our arguments in more detail, and also signposts you to relevant questions in key areas such as:  

• access to funding 

• clarity on standards and  

• potential timelines 

It also runs through what we believe will be major obstacles to different aspects of the plans and potential solutions, which we welcome you to use in your response. 

It also includes links to a range of resources and articles on the NRLA website that can help you when it comes to filling in the document. 

While we at the NRLA support the principle of making homes more energy efficient, we do have serious concerns about the impact of proposals as they stand. 

You can download our guide please click here and to respond to the consultation click here.   

• You can read more about the proposals here, with frequently asked questions available here. 

• NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle has written to the Government about the new proposals. To read the letter in full click here.  

• To watch a video outlining the new proposals click here.  

• For more information on the NRLAs ongoing energy efficiency campaign click here.  

• The NRLA’s award-winning Training Academy runs a course on  energy efficiency for landlords and a new retrofit course.