The policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Chris Norris, has strongly urged the Government to establish a definitive roadmap for enhancing energy efficiency within the rental sector.

This call to action surfaces as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband MP, is expected to unveil the Government’s blueprint for improving energy efficiency in rental properties during his upcoming Labour Party Conference speech.

Norris emphasized that while the NRLA is fully supportive of efforts to maximize energy efficiency across rented homes, the Government’s strategy needs to be grounded in a “clear and comprehensive plan.”

He stressed the importance of this, stating: “The sector needs a clear trajectory setting out what will be expected of it and by when."

Furthermore, he added, “This plan must also ensure sufficient numbers of tradespeople are in place to undertake the work that will be required.”

In addition to clarity, Norris pressed for more robust financial backing to implement these crucial efficiency improvements. He pointed to warnings issued by the Committee on Fuel Poverty, which underscored the need for landlords across the country to have access to a substantial financial package to facilitate these energy upgrades.

Government data shows that, in 2022, almost 45% of privately rented properties in England had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least a C—a stark improvement, more than doubling the figure from 2012.

However, one significant challenge persists: a third of homes in the private rented sector were constructed prior to 1919. These older properties represent a greater portion of this tenure than any other and are notoriously difficult to upgrade due to their age and structure.

Research has further revealed that the UK is on track to face a significant shortage of skilled workers in this field, with the gap expected to reach 250,000 tradespeople by 2030. The Committee on Fuel Poverty has stressed that the best way to support landlords in making these energy efficiency upgrades is “through tax offsets for improvements, loans, or potentially grants for landlords with a low profit margin in areas of low rental value.”

In summary, Norris is pushing for a multifaceted approach: clear goals, skilled labour availability, and substantial financial incentives to help landlords meet the rising demand for energy-efficient homes, while ensuring the infrastructure exists to make it happen.