A new report by Citizens Advice, Window of Opportunity, found that poor energy efficiency and disrepair continues to damage private renters’ health and finances. Millions are unable to keep their homes warm during the winter. Two in five renters in England and Wales rationed gas and electricity to afford their energy bills last winter, forcing people to skip hot meals, wear gloves inside, and limit heating to just one room.
We’re warning that heat leaking from shoddy homes is burning a hole in renters’ pockets. We want the government to urgently bring in tougher rules that would require landlords to upgrade leaky homes by 2030. Home upgrades will need to be installed in a way that provides tenants with the support and protection they need.
Citizens Advice is calling for the Government to take action. The Government must progress plans to increase minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector. They should support renters through the installation process and ensure that improvement works are performed to a high standard, with specific protections for renters against unfair rent increases.
