The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has raised concerns that planned reforms to energy performance certificates (EPCs) could face significant delays due to a shortage of qualified retrofit professionals. The government’s proposals to update EPC assessment methods will demand extensive retraining of assessors, potentially creating a bottleneck in the retrofit process.

Challenges in EPC Reform Implementation

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is consulting on changes to how EPC ratings are calculated, aiming to provide clearer insights into property performance and potential improvements for landlords, tenants, and owner-occupiers. The updated framework will introduce new metrics focusing on fabric efficiency and heating systems, marking a significant shift from current assessment methods.

However, the NRLA warns that the existing workforce of retrofit professionals is already limited, and the additional training required to meet the new standards will place further strain on capacity. This skills gap threatens to slow the rollout of the revised EPC framework, which has already been postponed until the second half of 2027 following industry discussions on delivery timelines.

NRLA’s Perspective on the Retrofit Skills Gap

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, emphasised the importance of improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector but urged the government to take a pragmatic approach. He stated, “If it doesn’t address the ‘retrofitting skills gap’ – the shortfall in those retrofitting professionals qualified to uphold EPC benchmarks – its changes to energy efficiency benchmarks are unlikely to succeed.”

The association highlights that without sufficient qualified assessors, demand will outstrip supply, creating a bottleneck that could hinder landlords’ ability to comply with new regulations and delay improvements in property energy performance.

Implications for Landlords and the Private Rented Sector

The NRLA’s warning signals potential challenges ahead for landlords who will need to navigate the updated EPC requirements amid a constrained retrofit workforce. The delay in implementing the new EPC framework reflects the complexity of ensuring assessors are adequately trained to apply the revised methodology accurately and consistently.

Landlords should prepare for possible delays in obtaining EPC assessments and consider the impact of these changes on their property management and compliance strategies. The evolving regulatory landscape underscores the need for clear communication and support for landlords as the sector adapts to higher energy efficiency standards.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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