The Government is being warned that landlords do not have “limitless reserves” to pay for energy efficiency upgrades.

Landlord representative body the NRLA says new research proves the plans are “unviable” for most property investors.

PRS owners have to upgrade their properties to a minimum EPC band C by 2030, and landlords could be required to invest up to £15,000 per property. Also, analysis of polling for the NRLA finds that, on average £7,700 is the threshold where the target becomes unaffordable.

The NRLA warns the Government it must not rely on the false assumption that landlords are wealthy individuals with deep pockets to finance improvements.

All energy efficiency investments should be deductible against income tax, the NRLA says.

And it also recommends a cap on the amount landlords are expected to invest should be graduated according to the value of a property.

This isn’t going to happen without a serious plan to support the investments needed.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was under the spotlight again this week when it emerged that her rental property in London has an EPC band D certificate.

Greener homes

Meanwhile, Rightmove says in its annual Greener Homes Report that there has been a 3% year-on-year jump in the proportion of homes with at least an EPC rating of C (58% of homes for rent, 46% of homes for sale), but progress has slowed.

Ben Beadle, CEO at the NRLA, says: “We want all rental properties to be as energy efficient as possible. However, this isn’t going to happen without a serious plan to support the investments needed.

“Relying on the misguided belief that every landlord has limitless reserves to fall back on is not only wrong but will not get tenants any closer to seeing their homes made energy efficient.”

In August, a private landlord launched a petition calling on the government to extend new EPC requirements on rentals to all homes.

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