What is the situation across the UK?
The below tabs show the devolved governments strategies towards improving energy efficiency on the journey to net zero emissions.
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.
Our recommendations
Our recommendations will assist homeowners, landlords, and tenants in saving money, creating new jobs, and combating climate change.
Our recent consultation responses
Climate goals must balance with property industry's practicalities
Propertymark’s response to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime addresses the wide-ranging proposals, covering changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and Air Conditioning Inspection Reports (ACIRs). We welcome many of the proposed reforms but have also raised concerns, especially around commercial and heritage buildings and HMOs, and made recommendations to ensure the final policy is fair, practical, and effective.
Reform of EPC fees must balance costs with benefits
The Scottish Government has launched a technical consultation on proposed changes to lodgement fees and penalty charges as part of its ongoing reform of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This follows the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to a 2023 consultation on EPC reform and outlines plans to introduce new EPC regulations in 2025, with enforcement scheduled for 2026.
Propertymark calls for realistic, fair, and effective action of fuel poverty
The Northern Ireland Executive has published a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy with proposals for improving energy efficiency in homes, protecting consumers, and fostering collaboration across sectors. Propertymark supports the key principles but has highlighted critical areas that need further consideration, including achievable timescales, sensible exemptions, and cost caps that reflect property values.
Propertymark advocates flexible and fair solutions for energy-efficient homes
We welcome proposals from the Department for the Economy on supporting low-carbon heating in residential buildings, which is a crucial step towards achieving Northern Ireland’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. However, in our response to the consultation we have emphasised the need for an assessment-led approach to funding, ensuring that financial support is directed to the most impactful measures for each property.
More ambitious plans are needed to provide essential housing
The Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government identifies providing access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing as an immediate priority and acknowledges the pressing need for action. Propertymark supports this aim and has made specific recommendations to accelerate progress.
Autumn Budget 2024: strengthening housing markets whilst boosting energy efficiency
Propertymark has prepared deliverable and achievable spending commitments that will increase the supply of privately rented accommodation, boost owner-occupation, and support landlords and homeowners decarbonise properties. Our proposals include Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) reform to encourage last-time buyers to downsize, reversing Section 24 of the Finance Act, and interest-free energy-efficiency loans.
Guidance for members
Our latest guidance for ARLA Propertymark and ARLA Inventories members discusses the state of play across the UK. It gives practical tips on what you can do right now and how to access available funding from a variety of schemes across the devolved Governments.
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.
Smart Energy GB has launched a dedicated page on their website with information about smart meters for the private rented sector, including resources for private landlords, letting agents and tenants.
Research reports
Making UK property energy efficient
Financial implications, practicality, consequences, and communication surrounding energy efficiency measures are key concerns cited in Propertymark’s latest report which provides recommendations to help homeowners, landlords, and tenants save money, create new jobs and fight climate change.
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.
Additional resources for members
In addition to our energy efficiency guide, we also have several fact sheets and frequently asked questions to help assist members on specific areas of energy efficiency legislation.
Fact sheet: Spray foam installation
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF), commonly referred to as spray foam, is a liquid material used to insulate homes. An alternative to traditional building insulation, it's especially advantageous for improving energy efficiency through insulating difficult and tight spaces. However, consumers should carefully consider the impact it can have on valuations, lenders decisions and surveys.
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.
Fact sheet: Tenant’s Energy Efficiency Improvements
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 introduce measures to improve the energy efficiency of private rented property under the Energy Act 2011.
FAQs: Non-domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial property
Since 1 April 2018 all new tenancies of non-domestic (commercial), properties must reach the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standard of E or above. The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 make clear that as of 1 April 2023, the regulations will apply to all tenancies, including existing and ongoing tenancies.
FAQs: Heat and Buildings Strategy
The Heat and Buildings Strategy sets out the UK Government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050. Learn more about the scheme and the implications for estate, letting and commercial agents.
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.