Written questions by Badenoch.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of requiring landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to a EPC C rating by 2030 on (a) rent prices and (b) trends in the number of private sector landlords exiting the sector.

The Government has announced its intention to consult by the end of the year on implementing a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band C or equivalent in the private rented sector by 2030. The consultation will be accompanied by an Options Assessment, which will consider impacts arising from the policy proposals, including potential impacts on rent levels and the supply of properties in the sector.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills published on 23 September 2024, what account the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards will take of the Renters' Rights Bill.

We have announced our intention to publish consultations on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector and the social rented sector by the end of the year. DESNZ and MHCLG are working closely together to take account of the impact of MEES and the Renters’ Rights Bill on the private and social rented sectors. The impact of potential changes to the wider policy landscape for private and social landlords will be considered in the respective Impact Assessments.

Pursuant to the answer of 30 August 2024 to Question 1617 on Energy Performance Certificates: Rented Housing and with reference to his Department's press release entitled Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills, published on 23 September 2024, what account the requirement to improve properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030 will take of changes to how Energy Performance Certificates are calculated.

The Government has announced its intention to consult by the end of the year on implementing a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band C or equivalent in the domestic private and social rented sectors by 2030. Government will also shortly set out a consultation with proposals for improvements to Energy Performance Certificates to make them more accurate and reliable, which will be reflected in the consultations on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.