Generation Rent is urging the government to introduce stronger protections for tenants in properties where landlords have received grants or loans to carry out Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) improvements. The campaign group wants tenants to be shielded from so-called ‘landlord need’ evictions for a period of two years following retrofit work. This, they say, would prevent landlords from immediately profiting from the increased value of upgraded properties, while ensuring energy efficiency policies genuinely help reduce fuel poverty.
Wider Demands in Raising Standards, Not Rents
This proposal forms part of a broader set of recommendations in Generation Rent’s latest report, Raising Standards, Not Rents. Among the key demands, the group calls for tenants to be able to claim rent repayments from landlords who fail to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards after 2030. The report emphasises the need to balance tenant rights with energy efficiency improvements, ensuring renters see real benefits from government-supported upgrades.
Educating Tenants on Energy Efficiency Rights
Generation Rent highlights the importance of raising awareness among renters about the new minimum energy efficiency standards. They argue that tenants should understand how Energy Performance Certificates work, know their rights, and be able to challenge rent increases if a property fails to meet required standards. Clear information would also help tenants compare energy costs between properties and encourage landlords to make necessary improvements, fostering a fairer rental market.
Preventing Pressure on Tenants
The campaign warns against landlords pressuring tenants to apply for exemptions to energy efficiency rules. While exemptions may occasionally be necessary, Generation Rent says this should not come at the cost of tenants’ rights. They recommend that the government publish clear, comprehensive guidance for both tenants and landlords, detailing responsibilities, rights, and available recourse if disputes arise.
Funding for Local Authorities
Another key recommendation is the provision of long-term, ringfenced funding for local authorities tasked with enforcing energy efficiency standards. Currently, councils often lack the resources to proactively monitor and enforce regulations. Adequate funding would ensure local authorities can effectively uphold the new standards, protecting tenants and maintaining consistent compliance across the country.
Limiting Rent Increases
Generation Rent also calls for rent increases to be capped at the lower of Consumer Price Inflation or wage growth. This measure aims to prevent sudden rent hikes that could offset the financial benefits of energy-efficient homes. By limiting rent growth nationally, tenants would be able to enjoy warmer, more efficient homes without being forced out due to unaffordable rents, regardless of whether improvements were funded by landlords or government schemes.
Treating Retrofit Grants as Tenant Contributions
The report recommends that government-backed grants and loans used for retrofit work should be classified as value added by tenants, not landlords, during First-Tier Tribunal assessments. This would prevent landlords from benefiting unfairly from energy efficiency improvements when calculating market rents. Such a policy would help ensure low-income households benefit from warmer homes without being penalised through higher rents.
Introducing a Targeted Social Energy Tariff
Finally, Generation Rent advocates for a new targeted social energy tariff for lower-income renters who do not claim benefits. This would complement retrofit schemes, helping tenants manage rising energy costs while increasing the number of households lifted out of fuel poverty. The combination of energy-efficient homes and additional support, the group argues, is vital to protect vulnerable renters in the face of rising utility prices.
Conclusion
Generation Rent’s recommendations aim to strengthen tenant protections, ensure fair implementation of government-funded energy efficiency programmes, and tackle fuel poverty. From shielding tenants from eviction following EPC retrofits to introducing targeted energy tariffs and limiting rent increases, the proposals provide a comprehensive approach to balancing the needs of renters, landlords, and the wider housing market. As the government considers its next steps, these measures could play a crucial role in creating a fairer, more energy-efficient rental sector across England and Wales.
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