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CLA calls for urgent
review of energy efficiency standards
RURAL landlords have called on the
Government to urgently provide clarity on its plans to review minimum energy
efficiency standards (MEES) set to be introduced in 2018.
The CLA has written to Alex Chisholm, the BEIS Permanent Secretary, to say
that the Government is running out of time to make crucial amendments to
energy efficiency rules set to come into force in the private rented sector.
The CLA represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, and its members
provide around 40% of all private rented housing in the countryside.
The Minimum energy efficiency standards will mean that from 1 April 2018 it
will be illegal for a private landlord to let a property with an energy
performance certificate (EPC) rating lower than E to a new tenant and to an
existing tenant from April 2020.
However, the Government is yet to confirm how it will amend the MEES
regulations, which are still drafted as if supported by the Green Deal
despite it being scrapped in 2015, leaving them unenforceable.
In addition, there is still clarity required as to whether those who own
listed buildings or properties in conservation areas must comply.
CLA Deputy President Tim Breitmeyer said:- "The industry has
repeatedly called on the Government to revise the MEES regulations and its
failure to make any progress in 2 years since the Green Deal was scrapped is
not good enough. With less than a year to go and the further delay of the
general election, time looks to be running out. In addition to the problems
with the regulations, around one third of the homes set to be affected by
MEES have been given lower EPC ratings than they deserve, due to mistakes in
the way the Government assesses the energy efficiency of traditional solid
wall buildings. Although the Government has recently consulted on fixing
these mistakes, we have received no assurances these will be rectified
before the April 2018 deadline. We support the principles behind the MEES
regulations, but there are so many errors, delays and uncertainties that it
is almost impossible to advise anyone on how to be proactive and ensure
compliance. This has a negative impact on landlords, tenants and the
Government's own policy objectives. Without the framework in place it is
unjustifiable to ask landlords to act on the regulations when so much
remains unclear."
Visit CLA's
website to read The Retrofit Up; How
Government energy policy is failing traditionally built homes across the
British countryside.
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