LANDLORDS will have to meet decent energy efficiency standards in homes they rent out by 2030 under new government plans put out to consultation today.

All private landlords in England and Wales will be required to comply with the requirements of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C as a minimum by the end of the decade, up from the lower EPC E level currently required.

The government said the proposals could save renters an average of £240 a year on their energy bills and lift up to half a million households out of fuel poverty, as they will not have to spend so much heating cold, draughty homes.

Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey said: “One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, the highest rate of any tenure.

“Therefore, we encourage renters across the country to respond to this consultation to make sure the benefits of the Warm Homes Plan are felt by tenants.”