The government’s proposed plans to improve the energy efficiency of privately rented homes have come under fire for being unrealistic and unachievable.
This concern was raised by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which warns that landlords could be left with an unreasonably short timeframe to meet the expected requirements.
According to the NRLA, more than 2.5 million rental properties across the UK would need to be upgraded if the proposals were implemented as currently suggested.
The government has outlined its intention to ensure that, wherever possible, all privately rented homes should achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of band C.
In a recent consultation, it was proposed that the new standards would be confirmed by the end of 2026, with the rules applying to new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies by 2030.
This timeline would effectively give landlords less than two years to bring millions of properties up to the required standard — a task many believe is not feasible.
While the NRLA has expressed support for the government’s overall aim to improve energy efficiency, it argues that the schedule being considered is overly ambitious and does not reflect current industry limitations.
A significant barrier to achieving the proposed improvements is the ongoing shortage of skilled tradespeople needed to carry out energy efficiency upgrades.
Industry experts warn that this shortage is only expected to worsen in the coming years, further limiting the capacity for landlords to complete essential work.
Kingfisher, the parent company of Screwfix, B&Q and TradePoint, has projected that the gap in skilled trades in the UK could grow to 250,000 workers by 2030.
This growing deficit in labour is likely to make it even harder for landlords to meet government-set energy standards within the proposed deadlines.
As a result, many in the property sector are calling for a more realistic and achievable timeline that accounts for labour shortages and the scale of work involved.
The NRLA is urging the government to reassess its proposed timeline, taking into consideration both the practical challenges and the availability of skilled professionals.
With so many properties needing upgrades and not enough workers to complete them, there is growing concern that without adjustments, the policy could fail before it begins.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has voiced concern that the government has yet to explain how landlords are expected to fund the substantial energy efficiency improvements being proposed.
According to the NRLA, ministers have so far overlooked key recommendations from the Committee on Fuel Poverty. This includes calls for a tailored financial support package aimed at encouraging investment in energy upgrades across the rental sector.
In its official response to the government’s consultation, the NRLA suggests a more achievable, two-phase approach to implementation.
The first phase would require landlords to meet basic building fabric standards—such as adding insulation—by 2030, wherever feasible and necessary.
The second stage, which would run until 2036, would see landlords meeting further efficiency goals, such as the installation of smart meters and modern heating systems.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, emphasised the need for realistic expectations. He stated, “We want all private rented properties to be as energy efficient as possible. However, tenants are being sold a pup with timelines that are hopelessly unrealistic.”
He went on to criticise the assumption that millions of homes could be retrofitted in under two years, especially considering the ongoing shortage of skilled tradespeople in the UK.
Beadle concluded by saying, “Noble ambitions mean little without practical and realistic policy to match.”
The NRLA’s stance reflects growing concern within the property sector that without proper funding, support, and time, the government’s energy targets will be unattainable for most landlords.
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