Miliband meets Generation Rent to bolster landlord clampdown

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has met activists from the Generation Rent group, in support of his controversial EPC clampdown on private landlords.

On X, Miliband tweeted:“Today I heard testimonies from renters @genrentuk, who have suffered the indignity of living in cold, unsafe homes. The fight for a fair deal for renters is a case of economic justice. That’s why we are taking action to enforce proper energy efficiency standards.”

Last week the government confirmed that all private rental properties must be EPC rated C or higher by 2030 with a cost cap of £15,000 for landlord spending on each property.

In the press release announcing the clampdown there was a quote and support from Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey.

Following the meeting with Miliband, Twomey in turn tweeted: “Thank you @Ed_Miliband for meeting with renters and taking forward our concerns – we at @genrentuk are looking forward to taking part in the government consultations on improving homes and tackling fuel poverty.”

Generation Rent claims one in four private renters experience fuel poverty, and it suggests that’s poorly insulated homes cost tenants an average of £570every year.

Meanwhile property industry figures continue to show concern over Miliband’s proposals.

The Property Institute says the initiative does not address the issue of tall blocks of leasehold flats.

Jaclyn Mangaroo of TPI says: “The Property Institute welcomes the Government’s announcement … but the proposals do not directly address or consider the unique challenges faced by those living in tall buildings, particularly in leasehold blocks, where improvements are typically prohibited.

Read the full article at Landlord Today