Generation Rent is calling for new protections for private tenants, including a six-year eviction ban after a landlord's energy efficiency upgrades on their property have been completed. They also are demanding for a freeze on rent increases that could result from retrofitting.

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The activist group also wants councils “to conduct proactive enforcement to guard against non-compliance and ensure upgrades are delivered to a high standard.”

In an online article, Parissa Zand, Generation Rent's research and policy manager, argues that the government's Warm Homes Plan falls short in providing sufficient support for tenants.

The government has pledged to force private landlords to attain EPC C ratings in their rental properties by 2030.

Zand says: “This is welcome, but with 2.6 million private rented homes currently falling below the minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC Band C in England and Wales alone, there is a long road ahead for renters.”

She asserts that nearly a quarter of private renters are experiencing fuel poverty., which Zand says is “the highest rate of any tenure” – and that since 2010, fuel poverty has fallen by 4% for private renters compared to 35% for owner-occupiers and 54% for what she calls “council tenants.”

She also claims: “There is nothing currently stopping a landlord from either evicting that tenant to sell their improved property, or demanding a rent increase that captures the entire benefit of the grant.

“I recently heard a story of a family renting privately where the landlord had substantial energy efficiency upgrades installed through a government grant. But once the upgrades were complete, the landlord hiked up the rent by £500 a month.”

No further details have been provided regarding the alleged incident.