Caroline Flint, a former Labour government minister who served under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, has criticised certain landlords for what she describes as a failure to invest adequately in energy efficiency measures.
Now serving as the Chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, Flint voiced her concerns over the weekend while endorsing the Labour government’s latest proposals aimed at tightening regulations on Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings for private rental properties.
The government is currently holding a consultation on plans that could make it a legal requirement for all privately rented homes to achieve an EPC rating of at least C by 2030. If implemented, this policy would place greater responsibility on landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, ensuring tenants benefit from lower energy costs and improved living conditions.
The government is proposing a cap on how much landlords will need to spend to bring rental properties up to an EPC rating of C. This cap is set at a maximum of £15,000, but there is also consideration for a lower cap of £10,000 for landlords renting out properties at lower rates or in lower council tax bands.
According to estimates, the average cost for landlords to comply with these new energy efficiency standards is expected to range between £6,100 and £6,800 by 2030. This financial requirement has sparked debate, particularly among landlords concerned about the potential burden of these costs.
Caroline Flint has stepped into the discussion, strongly criticising landlords who fail to invest in improving energy efficiency. She pointed out that tenants in the private rental sector are at a much higher risk of fuel poverty, especially those living in older, less energy-efficient properties.
Flint emphasised that the issue of cold and inefficient homes has persisted for too long due to a lack of investment from some landlords. She argued that action is necessary to ensure tenants are not left struggling with high energy bills and inadequate living conditions.
Caroline Flint highlighted that efforts to tackle fuel poverty have stagnated over the past five years. She welcomed the government’s renewed focus on raising standards in the private rental sector, viewing it as an opportunity to revitalise England’s Fuel Poverty Strategy.
Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, also voiced support for the government’s proposals, stressing the urgent need for action. He pointed out that one in four private renters currently live in fuel poverty, the highest rate among all housing tenures.
Twomey emphasised that tenants struggling to afford proper heating are at greater risk of ill health, as well as issues like damp and mould in their homes. He urged renters across the country to participate in the consultation process to ensure the Warm Homes plan delivers real benefits to those most affected.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, has responded cautiously to the government’s proposals. While he acknowledges the importance of improving energy efficiency in rented homes, he stresses that achieving this goal requires a practical and well-structured plan.
Beadle highlights a major concern—the shortage of skilled tradespeople needed to carry out energy efficiency improvements. He argues that this issue must be tackled alongside a targeted financial support package to help landlords make the necessary upgrades. Both the Committee on Fuel Poverty and Citizens Advice have called for such financial measures.
He also warns that without a realistic timeline, it will be difficult to upgrade the 2.5 million private rented homes that currently fall short of the proposed standards. Without careful planning, the transition could place significant strain on landlords and tenants alike.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives’ shadow energy secretary, Andrew Bowie, has criticised the government’s approach. He argues that the proposed changes will do little to lower energy bills for tenants and could instead create new financial burdens.
Bowie also takes aim at Labour’s wider housing policies, claiming that Angela Rayner is failing to meet housebuilding targets. He suggests that the Renters Rights Bill is already reducing housing supply and driving up rents. In his view, adding further financial pressures on landlords will ultimately backfire, as the costs will be passed on to renters rather than improving energy security.
The government’s formal consultation on the proposed energy efficiency changes outlines several key measures aimed at giving landlords flexibility while ensuring rental properties meet higher standards.
One of the main points is that landlords will have a choice in how they improve energy efficiency. They must first meet a basic fabric standard by installing measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or double glazing. Once these foundational improvements are made, they can consider additional options, including solar panels, battery storage, and smart meters, to further enhance energy performance.
To limit financial strain, the government is proposing a maximum spending cap of £15,000 per property. Landlords may also be able to access financial support through schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which is set to roll out this year.
Additionally, an affordability exemption has been suggested for properties where tenants pay lower rents or where the home falls into a lower council tax band. Under this exemption, landlords would only be required to spend up to £10,000 instead of the full £15,000 cap, helping to balance investment costs with affordability concerns.
The deadline for compliance is set for 2030, giving landlords more time than previously proposed. Those properties that already hold an A-C Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before the new regulations take effect will be considered compliant until their current certificates expire.
Beyond rental properties, the government is also consulting on a broader fuel poverty strategy. This strategy aims to improve the overall energy performance of homes, provide direct financial support to low-income households struggling with energy costs, and implement measures to shield vulnerable households from rising energy prices.
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