Press release
Huhne action on cold rented homes welcomed
11 May 2011
Chris Huhne's announcement this afternoon of a new law to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for homes rented from a landlord or lettings agency have been warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth.
Rented homes include a large number of households in fuel poverty and cost a huge amount to heat.
From 2018 it will become illegal to let private rented homes with the worst energy efficiency ratings of F and G.
Friends of the Earth's Warm Homes campaigner, Dave Timms said:
"Legislation to ensure rented homes meet a basic standard of insulation is a bold and significant step forward.
"This will protect thousands of vulnerable families from fuel poverty and high energy bills in the future.
"The Government has made it clear that renting out dangerously cold and draughty homes is unacceptable - landlords will have to improve their properties or face prosecution."
Friends of the Earth said there are still many details to sort out: It is not clear why we need to wait until 2018 for the standard to be introduced; and it is essential that tenants who demand energy efficiency measures from landlords are given protection against eviction.
The Government should also look at how it can encourage landlords to act early to help households facing fuel poverty this winter.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. 175 MPs have signed Early Day Motion 653 calling for a minimum energy efficiency standard from 2016.
2. 38 organisations have called for a minimum energy efficiency standard from 2016 including Citizens Advice, Crisis, Consumer Focus and Age UK.
3. Research by Consumer Focus for Friends of the Earth estimated that setting a minimum energy efficiency standard (Band E) for private rented homes would lift 150,000 households out of fuel poverty. Latest Government figures show there are 4.5 million households suffering fuel poverty in the UK.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: May 2011
