EPC Energy Efficiency Ratings

Leónie Cooper AM proposed, and Sem Moema AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that every Londoner deserves a safe and warm home to live in. However, research by Savills notes that in 2022, 35% of properties in London do not have an EPC Rating of C or higher, meaning that many Londoners have homes which are not energy efficient and are vulnerable to the soaring energy costs we have experienced over the last two years.

This Assembly also notes that as part of his wider delaying and scrapping of Net Zero pledges, the Prime Minister announced in September 2023 that the requirement for private landlords to upgrade their rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2028, which was originally set to be introduced in 2025, would be scrapped.

The energy tech firm IPPO has predicted that the scrapping of the requirement will mean “More than 2.4 million privately rented homes in England will experience higher energy bills with renters facing £1.4 billion costs as a result.”

This Assembly notes that a survey of 1000 landlords by specialist lender Shawbrook, found that 80 per cent of those surveyed ‘had already prepared’ to make the upgrades to achieve a C rating. In addition, landlords to date have also spent millions on upgrading their properties in anticipation of the deadline, with the average amount spent by London landlords being £37,164.

This Assembly believes the requirement to meet EPC C or higher is a win-win-win as it:

1. ensures Londoners pay less for energy;

2. tackles the climate crisis and;

3. creates jobs in the energy efficiency sector.

Therefore, this Assembly calls on the Mayor to join with this Assembly in lobbying the Government to reverse this damaging change, thus ensuring that all properties are upgraded to at least an EPC of C or higher by 2028.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion in the name of 
Léonie Cooper AM, was agreed, with 13 votes being cast in favour and seven votes being cast against.