New Green Rules May Hike Rents by Thousands, Ministers Admit

 

Tenants across the UK could face sharp rent increases as landlords are legally allowed to pass on the costs of energy efficiency upgrades required under Ed Miliband’s net zero housing policy. The Government has admitted that the upcoming rules to improve insulation in rental properties could lead to rent hikes, despite earlier assurances that tenants would benefit financially in the long run.

 

The policy, which mandates that all rental properties must meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, has been promoted as a way to reduce tenants' energy bills. The Government claims that renters could save an average of £240 annually on heating costs. However, the cost of implementing these upgrades—particularly in older or historic homes—may be significantly higher than the savings, with the Conservatives warning that rents could surge by as much as £4,000 a year.

 

Although Energy Secretary Ed Miliband previously claimed the changes would not increase housing costs, a recent statement by justice minister Sarah Sackman tells a different story. When asked by Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake whether courts could allow rent increases to offset net zero upgrade costs, Sackman responded that “expenditure on the upgrading of an energy performance certificate to a higher level of energy efficiency is a material consideration, which may result, in certain circumstances, in a higher market rent being determined.”

 

This confirmation is fueling growing concerns among critics of the policy. Mr. Hollinrake lambasted the plan, saying, “Red Ed promised to reduce everyone’s bills but his mad dash to net zero is picking people’s pockets. Not content with sending bills skyrocketing, hardworking families’ rents are now in his crosshairs. Maybe this confession will make him finally realise that Labour’s war on landlords just leaves renters worse off. He needs to heed our calls to abandon net zero by 2050 and fast, or working families and Middle England will continue to be clobbered by his eco cult.”

 

The financial impact could be particularly severe in older properties, many of which are less energy-efficient and would require substantial investment to meet the new EPC standards. Some landlords have indicated they may opt to sell their properties rather than shoulder the cost of costly renovations, further shrinking rental supply.

 

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, voiced concern earlier this year, urging the Government to reconsider the feasibility of the policy. “The chronic shortage of tradespeople to carry out energy efficiency works needs to be addressed, alongside a targeted financial package to support investments in the work required,” he said.

 

As the debate over the balance between environmental responsibility and affordability intensifies, renters and landlords alike are left grappling with uncertainty over how these green mandates will play out in real terms. What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that the cost of reaching net zero may not be as straightforward—or as painless—as originally promised.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Telegraph  2025-05-29

 

 

Net Zero makes everyone poorer. 

 

Landlords like me will inevitably pass some/most of the costs on to tenants. I'm not just going to suck up thousands of pounds worth of pointless upgrades myself. Neither will anyone else.

 

It's not like there's a shortage of tenants with the millions of people flooding into the country and the already chronic housing shortage.

 

Still, as long as Miliband gets slapped on the back at his Islington dinner parties that's all he cares about. Let the peasants eat cake.  

Change the law to stop landlords passing on the costs of improving their asset value to their tenants.

 

Jobs a good ‘un.

 

 

37 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Change the law to stop landlords passing on the costs of improving their asset value to their tenants.

 

Jobs a good ‘un.

 

 

 

How would you know why the landlord increased the rent? And how would you stop it?

 

Much as you hate it, it is still a free market. The Commies aren't controlling the rental market yet. Supply and Demand, The supply is limited and thanks to uncontrolled mass immigration the demand increases daily. 

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

How would you know why the landlord increased the rent? And how would you stop it?

 

Much as you hate it, it is still a free market. The Commies aren't controlling the rental market yet. Supply and Demand, The supply is limited and thanks to uncontrolled mass immigration the demand increases daily. 

It’s not an entirely free market.

 

The Renters’ Rights Bill addresses many of the problems of rent rate fixing/gouging.

 

A piece of legislation that, when it comes into force later this year, will positively help millions of working class tenants across the UK.

 

Adding local rent controls to that legislation would be a very effective means to prevent landlords passing the costs of improving their assets on to their tenants.

 

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Adding local rent controls to that legislation would be a very effective means to prevent landlords passing the costs of improving their assets on to their tenants.

 

It would also go a long way toward making sure nobody builds new properties to rent.

 

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

It would also go a long way toward making sure nobody builds new properties to rent.

 

What by applying the same building standard to all new built housing regardless of whether for private purchase or buy to let?

 

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What by applying the same building standard to all new built housing regardless of whether for private purchase or buy to let?

 

You advocated rent control.  To keep landlords from passing on their cost of doing business.

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Adding local rent controls to that legislation would be a very effective means to prevent landlords passing the costs of improving their assets on to their tenants.

 

Improving their assets? 😃

 

Being forced to spend thousands on Miliband's Net Zero/doomsday cult fantasy hardly qualifies as improving the asset, especially if it means removing efficient forms of heating for "green" ones that don't heat the property properly. 

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

Improving their assets? 😃

 

Being forced to spend thousands on Miliband's Net Zero/doomsday cult fantasy hardly qualifies as improving the asset, especially if it means removing efficient forms of heating for "green" ones that don't heat the property properly. 

Yes Jonny, improving their assets.

 

As I presume you are a responsible landlord, I’m sure you support the introduction of the renters rights act and I particular the inclusion of ‘Awaab’s Law’ that will remove the incentive unscrupulous landlords have to undercut  responsible landlords like yourself by renting out unsafe properties to their tenants.

 

https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/awaabs-law/

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

You advocated rent control.  To keep landlords from passing on their cost of doing business.

 

I think rent controls a a good idea.

 

Doing business with unfit assets is the landlord’s problem, not that of their tenants.

Rents are so hight in the UK a mortgage is often cheaper, parasite landlords.

Just now, proton said:

Rents are so hight in the UK a mortgage is often cheaper, parasite landlords.

It’s a rigged market.

 

Definitely not the ‘free market’ some landlords would have us believe.

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I think rent controls a a good idea.

 

Doing business with unfit assets is the landlord’s problem, not that of their tenants.

 

On paper, I'd agree.  But it rarely works out that way in real life.  Rent control generally leads to poorly maintained and scarce rentals.

 

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

On paper, I'd agree.  But it rarely works out that way in real life.  Rent control generally leads to poorly maintained and scarce rentals.

 

The necessity of Awaab’s law included in the Rebters Rights Act is a direct result of the current market and precisely why regulation is necessary.

 

 

7 minutes ago, proton said:

Rents are so hight in the UK a mortgage is often cheaper, parasite landlords.

 

That's always been the case. One of the reasons I bought my first place back in the 90's was that it was cheaper than renting.

 

I can assure you being a landlord isn't the great gig it is made out to be. Finding decent tenants that pay rent on time and don't trash the place isn't easy.

 

Plus the courts are so heavily stacked in the tenants favour that even if they do trash the place you have little/no chance of getting them to pay for it - as I found when one of my tenants moved in a large St. Bernard against the terms of the contract, which then proceeded to rip the radiators off the walls and jump through a second floor window, landing on the roof below. 

23 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I think rent controls a a good idea.

 

Doing business with unfit assets is the landlord’s problem, not that of their tenants.

 

Controlling rents will only lead to landlords spending less on the property.

 

A better way to control rents would be to reduce demand by reducing the number of immigrants coming in who need housing. 

 

58 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Controlling rents will only lead to landlords spending less on the property.

 

A better way to control rents would be to reduce demand by reducing the number of immigrants coming in who need housing. 

 

It’s always the immigrants with Jonny.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Controlling rents will only lead to landlords spending less on the property.

 

A better way to control rents would be to reduce demand by reducing the number of immigrants coming in who need housing. 

 

A better way to control rents would be building 1,000,000 new homes or allowing mobile homes on farmland and gardens.

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Much as you hate it, it is still a free market.

 

Are people free to build as many homes as they want?

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

A better way to control rents would be building 1,000,000 new homes or allowing mobile homes on farmland and gardens.

 

The people in power want neither rents nor house prices to be controlled or to go down.  They all want them to keep going up.

55 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

A better way to control rents would be building 1,000,000 new homes or allowing mobile homes on farmland and gardens.

 

Eventually, yes.

 

But if my bath is overflowing I turn off the tap before I start making the sides taller. Britain is full, hence the shortage of housing and subsequent sky high rental prices. Supply and demand.  

52 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

The people in power want neither rents nor house prices to be controlled or to go down.  They all want them to keep going up.

Moreover, private equity and institutional investors are moving into the buy to let market.

 

Its a perfect example of ordinary working people in competition with the rich for limited resources.

 

https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/legal/the-rise-of-private-equity-in-the-rental-sector/

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Moreover, private equity and institutional investors are moving into the buy to let market.

 

That's because they know they are too many people and not enough houses.

 

The next logical question would be... What is easier/quicker? Building hundreds of thousands of houses or getting control of immigration.

 

I'll give you a clue - Trump already provided the answer within 100 days.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14660661/The-eye-popping-number-illegal-migrants-deported-Trump-100-days.html

 

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yes Jonny, improving their assets.

 

As I presume you are a responsible landlord, I’m sure you support the introduction of the renters rights act and I particular the inclusion of ‘Awaab’s Law’ that will remove the incentive unscrupulous landlords have to undercut  responsible landlords like yourself by renting out unsafe properties to their tenants.

 

https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/awaabs-law/

My understanding is that "Awaaab's Law" refers to social housing only?

As a landlord I don't have any issues with that - but I don't do social housing...

 

Renters Rights bill - lot of changes which potentially may cause "accidental landlords" or people like me to stop renting. That is liable to have the opposite effect of what you are seeking. If I don't want to rent to certain people then that should be my choice - my house, my rules (within reason).

 

7 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A piece of legislation that, when it comes into force later this year, will positively help millions of working class tenants across the UK.

Your bias is showing.......Does it not also help middle or any other "class" tenants............

 

Back on point to the article which is fairly clear and was only really about setting C as a minimum EPC grade by 2030.

As @JonnyF said early on, and has been reported in the press at length, trying to get the supposed c grade with something like a 100 year old terraced house that has had people living happily in it since it was built just does not make any sense financially or economically.

IMO the aim of every government, no matter their right of left leaning is to transfer as much wealth as possible upwards to the top 1% of the population.

12 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a rigged market.

 

Definitely not the ‘free market’ some landlords would have us believe.

I'm a landlord with many properties.  What do you call a 'free market' seeing as you advocate rent controls?

11 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s always the immigrants with Jonny.

All my properties are rented to immigrants.  Just worked out that way.  Remove all immigrants, free up millions of properties to rent.  Probably be a rental crash.

Many landlords will do nothing about the EPC upgrades.

They will wait until Labour is out of power and reform is running the show.

The wind of change will start then.

6 hours ago, sharksy said:

I'm a landlord with many properties.  What do you call a 'free market' seeing as you advocate rent controls?

 

You should perhaps ask those who claim buy-to-let is a free market what they mean by that claim.

 

I do not advocate a ‘free for all market’ in housing or anywhere else.