In a pressing appeal to the Labour government, Skipton Group has called for the introduction of measures to incentivise and support landlords in the upcoming Autumn Budget. The move is aimed at helping landlords meet the newly established target of achieving an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band C for their properties by 2030.
The government’s recent confirmation that all landlords will be required to meet this EPC standard has prompted Skipton Group’s chief executive of home financing, Charlotte Harrison, to speak out on the issue. “Landlords play an integral part in the UK’s housing provision,” Harrison stated. “We know they face significant challenges in greening their homes from an awareness, cost, and access to appropriate guidance and skills perspective.”
Harrison emphasised the critical role landlords play in the decarbonisation of the housing sector. She urged the government to explore strategies in forthcoming budgets that would incentivise and support landlords in reaching the proposed target.
“Making the necessary improvements to their properties is critical to helping the country meet its net zero target and, importantly, will help to address some of the challenges that the cost of living, energy, and climate crises have had on people living in the UK,” she said.
Harrison suggested several potential forms of support, including making energy improvement costs tax deductible and introducing government grants. Another proposal is to match energy home improvement spending, offering £1 for every £1 spent by landlords.
She noted that, “To date, there have been more incentives for homeowners and social tenants to green their homes than there have been for landlords, offering an opportunity for this government to equalise that imbalance.”
As the deadline approaches, the spotlight is on the Labour government to address these issues and provide a clear path forward for landlords in their efforts to meet the EPC targets and contribute to the nation’s environmental goals.