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.
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
Welsh Warm Homes Programme report highlights delivery issues
The Programme set in place two schemes, run by Nest and Arbed, which provided free advice and energy-efficient measures to those struggling with the costs of their current energy need as well as arranged the installation of measures, including insulation, to homes in particular areas in Wales respectively.
Energy efficiency: preparing the private rented sector
How can the private rented sector (PRS) best prepare for the UK Government’s net-zero targets?
Support for landlords needed for stronger PRS
With around 170 different pieces of legislation that must be adhered to within the private rented sector (PRS), the everchanging landscape of compliance combined with the mounting financial pressures triggered by policies such as Section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 and, more recently, debt arrears caused by COVID-19 more must be done to support landlords.
ONS report highlights need to avoid one-size-fits-all policies
The ‘Energy efficiency of housing in England and Wales’ report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shines a light on the importance of any funding schemes provided for landlords to consider the different tenure of homes across the UK.
Councils need cash, not campaigns to enforce PRS rules
A campaign to raise awareness and enforce rules banning landlords in England and Wales from renting homes with the worst-performing energy efficiency ratings has been launched by the UK Government.
Homes for the elderly could regenerate housing market
As life expectancy in Britain continues to rise, Propertymark highlights the need for a greater supply of affordable homes for the ageing population.