Over 37% of private renters are fuel poor, struggling to heat draughty homes as they face skyrocketing energy bills, resulting in misery and poor health. Just 29% of private rented homes meet the Government’s energy efficiency target of EPC C or above. With energy bills forecast to stay high until 2025 at the earliest, government must act now.

In 2018 government introduced Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for private rented properties so that landlords must upgrade properties with the lowest EPC ratings of F or G, and in 2020 government consulted on raising the minimum standards to EPC C, though no new policy has yet been announced. The focus on energy efficiency standards has been welcomed by fuel poverty campaigners, but of course legislation is only useful if it is enforced.