The government has been told that once and for all it must “get realistic” over the multiple issues in achieving its Net Zero targets, especially when it comes to older PRS properties.

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An industry association says it does support the government’s Net zero intentions, however in its information submitted to the formal consultation, the association claims agents and landlords will be hugely affected by the short termed deadlines without any financial support being offered by the government.

The government has made it abundantly clear it will make sure that all PRS properties will meet an EPC Rating B by the end of 2030, however there is an ‘apparent reassurance’ of a £10,000 cost cap for landlords to upgrade their properties, which includes many old and low performing EPC ‘;rented homes’ to reach the required level.

The association says: “We warn that the devastating impact of the pandemic, confusion over the absence of a long-term strategy and the lack of financial support, is likely to lead to further shrinkage of supply in the private rental system. This is going to be hardest felt in parts of England and Wales with the lowest house-price values and subsequently where economic growth is sluggish.”

And it further states that “the government must get realistic to the challenges in decarbonising the PRS which has some of the oldest housing stock, most off-grid properties and high numbers of vulnerable tenants. Landlords need to be supported in improving stock gradually otherwise we may see a continuation of landlords exiting the market.”

The industry association’s submission to the government  Net Zero policy’s official consultation says it must provide landlords with tax and other financial ‘sweeteners’ to help them to upgrade their properties to the new regulated levels, whilst still housing tenants.

The submission includes the following items:

- The reintroduction of the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA), which let landlords claim on their income or corporation tax return against the cost of buying and installing certain energy saving items. Tax relief was for a maximum of £1,500 per property;

- Additional funding at local authority level that is tenure blind that addresses the challenges the PRS has in obtaining grant funding;

- Implementing a new streamlined Green Homes Grant that is flexible to the sector’s needs;

- Considering tax incentive measures such as a reduction in VAT for energy efficiency measures or incentives for landlords and home buyers through stamp duty.

The association also requests the government to undertake a nationwide communications campaign for landlords, tenants and  owner occupiers.