In October 2021, the UK Government published its Heat and Buildings Strategy. The strategy sets out how the UK will decarbonise homes, and our commercial, industrial and public sector buildings, as part of setting a path to net zero by 2050.
The role of decarbonising buildings in delivering carbon targets for Wales is set out in the Welsh Government’s Low Carbon Delivery Plan.
In October 2021, the Scottish Government published Heat in Buildings Strategy — achieving net zero emissions in Scotland's buildings.
The Energy Management Strategy and Action Plan for Northern Ireland Central Government aims to support and significantly accelerate actions to maximise exploitation of energy efficiency opportunities.
Propertymark's position
We want to see more energy-efficient homes, but new rules and requirements must be realistic and achievable. Without providing landlords and homeowners with incentives and access to sustained funding, it is unlikely that energy efficiency targets for the private rented sector and a reduction in emissions across the property sector will be met.
Decision makers across the UK must move away from a one-size fits all policy and develop energy efficiency proposals that work with the different age, condition, and size of properties. This way government can target grants and funding support based on the architype of a property rather than its tenure.
Energy efficiency: preparing the private rented sector for the future
Governments across the UK are consulting on implementing new energy efficiency standards for private rented property. Propertymark wants to see more energy–efficient homes, but new rules and requirements must be realistic and achievable.
Green Homes Grant
Following the closure of the Green Homes Grant scheme there needs to be a long-term financial plan to support homeowners and landlords with energy efficiency and combating climate change.
Key concerns:
- The scheme was time limited so homeowners and landlords needed to have redeemed the voucher and ensure improvements were completed by 31 March 2022.
- The scheme was only applicable in England and there is no equivalent scheme in Wales despite UK Government’s energy efficiency targets for the property sector applying to both England and Wales.
- There were delays in vouchers being issued which meant many homeowners and landlords put their installations on hold, and reduced the time left to complete the work.
Long term investment needed
The UK Government must continue to invest in the Green Homes Grant scheme or introduce additional schemes to help landlords and homeowners to make their properties more energy-efficient, cut their carbon footprint and reduce energy bills.
Consultation responses
Scottish Government’s Home energy efficiency: equity loan pilot consultation
The Scottish Government has set out a series of actions and long-term commitments in its Heat in Buildings Strategy to accelerate the decarbonisation of homes and buildings across Scotland in order to meet its net-zero target by 2045.
Improving home energy performance through lenders
We responded to the UK Government’s consultation on improving home energy performance through lenders by raising concerns that the proposed targets are unrealistic, too simplistic and could deter people from moving home.
Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes in England and Wales
We highlighted a number of concerns relating to affordability and the need to look beyond a one-size fits all policy. We see a need to develop proposals that work with the different age, condition, and size of properties in the private rented sector.
Energy Efficient Scotland
The Scottish Government asked for views on their proposals for a long-term standard for Scotland’s privately rented and owner occupied homes. Whilst we support improving energy efficiency, we are concerned that the timescales for the private rented sector beyond EPC E are unrealistic.
Lagging behind: energy efficiency in low viability properties
A research report co-sponsored by Propertymark and the NRLA identifies policy levers at national, local and industry level that could facilitate the work being undertaken in the most cost-effective manner.
Lagging behind: energy efficiency in low-viability properties
This report raises concerns over the affordability of retrofitting properties and highlights that residents in the North of England will be the hardest hit. Failure to factor in huge regional variations in property costs when incentivising homeowners and landlords to meet national net zero targets risks deepening economic inequality.
A ‘one-sized fits all’ approach rarely works in any policy implementation but when dealing with affordability and property this is particularly true. When we look at property value against the estimated cost of retrofit improvements for energy efficiency, we see a stark geographical divide making the feasibility of carrying out works required unequal across the country.
This means that those living in lower value areas will be penalised when they are unable to afford the measures needed to bring their homes in line with UK Government targets. To avoid regional inequality the research recommends a greater degree of strategic planning by local authorities to develop frameworks to help with affordability and spark local economic growth through collaborative working, developing skills, creating green jobs and utilising existing supply chains.
Smart meter awareness
Smart meters are a part of plans by policy makers for a smart energy system that will facilitate carbon emissions reductions—a key focus is improving take up in private rented properties.
Propertymark believe that tenants, landlords, letting agents and energy companies all have a role to play in improving smart meter take up but this can often be down to different types of properties and tenancy management arrangements in the private rented sector.
Fact sheets and FAQs for members
FAQs: New digital service to improve energy efficiency performance
On 30 September 2020, the UK Housing Minister launched a new digital service to help homeowners improve the energy performance of their homes and cut their energy bills.
FAQs: Green Homes Grant
The UK Government have introduced a plan to allow homeowners and landlords to apply for vouchers from a £2 billion scheme to help fund the cost of upgrading the energy performance of their homes.
Fact sheet: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 introduce measures to improve the energy efficiency of private rented property.
Related news
Report urges governments to declare climate emergency
A new report, published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), in partnership with Architects Declare, has called on the built environment sector to drastically reduce its carbon emissions to work towards the UK Government’s Net Zero: Build Back Greener Strategy.
Propertymark’s energy efficiency guide
Propertymark has long called for the implementation of a well-costed, long-term financial plan to support homeowners and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Welsh Budget to build stronger, fairer, greener Wales
The Welsh Government has set out revenue and capital spending for the next three years, focusing on supporting Wales’s economic recovery as it emerges from the pandemic, seeking to strengthen it in a sustainable way to deliver a greener Wales.
A New Deal for Tenants in Scotland consultation
A Draft Rented Sector Strategy has been published by the Scottish Government, setting out how they will work with landlords and tenants to provide accessible and affordable homes.
Propertymark’s recommendations for the future of renting
The UK Government plans to reform the private rented sector (PRS) in England and to help shape and influence the Renters’ Reforms, Propertymark has produced a paper outlining its position.
Scottish Budget announcement includes 110k affordable homes plan
The Budget 2022-2023, announced 9 December 2021, focuses on business recovery, as well as investing in energy efficiency measures, public services and delivering house building projects.