Delivering warmer homes for private renters in Wales

Delivering warmer homes for private renters in Wales 1.51 MB

Cold, draughty homes are leaving Welsh renters with high bills and health risks. With energy prices still 50% higher than in 2021, nearly half of private renters (49%) are struggling to pay their energy bills, and a quarter told us they couldn’t heat their homes to a comfortable temperature last winter.

High energy costs are exacerbated by poor energy efficiency. Almost two-thirds (60%) of rented homes in Wales have poor energy ratings (EPC D or below) and those at EPC E, the current minimum energy efficiency standard for rented homes, pay an average of £317 more a year than those in EPC C homes. The previous UK Government first launched proposals on improving minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in the private rented sector to EPC C in 2020 and we welcomed the recent consultation on progressing this. But 5 years on, private renters are still waiting for improvement. 

To make homes warmer and safer for private renters,  it is vital that we see regulation change from the UK Government to progress plans to raise MEES. Alongside this, we need sustained action from the Welsh Government to support renters and landlords to enable meaningful change in the private rented sector and protect renters from unintended consequences of regulatory change by: 

• Improving tenant information: Lead public awareness campaigns to ensure private renters understand their rights and available support for energy efficiency.

• Strengthening protections: Protect renters from unfair rent increases or evictions that might follow energy efficiency upgrades.

• Accelerating retrofit of inefficient homes in Wales: Expand funding for the Nest scheme to provide trusted advice and fully funded energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households.