Energy efficiency guide issued for landlords to improve tenant support

Energy efficiency guide issued for landlords to improve tenant support

A new energy efficiency guide has been published by the Future Homes Hub and Good Homes Alliance to help landlords and letting agents provide consistent information and support to renters on how to live comfortably and efficiently in their homes.

The Future Homes Hub and Good Homes Alliance have released a dedicated guide aimed at landlords, letting agents and managing agents to improve communication and tenant experience regarding energy efficiency in rental properties. The guide recognises that renters often have fewer opportunities than homebuyers to understand their homes before moving in and depend heavily on landlords and agents for information about unfamiliar technologies and energy-saving measures.

Available for free download from the Future Homes Hub’s Knowledge Centre, the guide encourages landlords and agents to view letting a property as a continuous process. This process starts with marketing and extends through pre-handover, move-in, aftercare, repairs, maintenance, and future tenancies, ensuring tenants receive consistent quality support throughout their tenancy.

Guide details and industry perspective

The guide highlights the importance of providing tenants with clear, accessible information about the energy performance of their homes and how to maximise comfort while minimising energy use. It stresses that rental homes often house multiple tenants over their lifetime, so a consistent approach to tenant support is essential to maintain satisfaction and improve energy efficiency outcomes.

A spokesperson for the Future Homes Hub emphasised the progress made in improving new homes’ energy performance and identified the next step as equipping residents with the knowledge and confidence to benefit fully from these improvements. The guide aims to strengthen the interactions between landlords, letting agents, and tenants, recognising that every stage of the tenancy journey offers an opportunity to enhance tenant confidence and satisfaction.

By improving communication and tenant education, landlords can help reduce energy bills, improve property performance, and potentially reduce complaints or maintenance issues linked to misunderstandings about heating, ventilation, and energy systems.

Context within UK rental regulation and energy efficiency standards

This guide arrives amid ongoing regulatory pressure on landlords to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties. The UK government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require rental properties to meet a minimum EPC rating, with further tightening expected in coming years. Landlords face increasing obligations to upgrade properties and provide tenants with relevant information.

While MEES primarily focuses on physical improvements, this guide addresses the complementary need for tenant engagement and education. The rental sector has historically seen challenges in communicating energy efficiency measures effectively to tenants, who may not be familiar with new heating systems, insulation, or smart technologies installed in their homes.

Landlords and agents must therefore balance compliance with physical standards alongside the softer skills of tenant support and information provision. This guide helps fill that gap by providing a structured approach to tenant communication throughout the tenancy lifecycle.

Practical implications for landlords and letting agents

For landlords managing small portfolios or individual properties, the guide offers practical advice on how to integrate energy efficiency information into everyday property management. This includes preparing marketing materials that highlight energy features, conducting thorough pre-tenancy briefings, and providing tenants with easy-to-understand guides on using heating and ventilation systems.

Letting agents can use the guide to standardise their tenant communications and improve customer service, potentially reducing disputes related to energy use or misunderstandings about property features. The guide also encourages ongoing tenant engagement during repairs and maintenance visits, reinforcing energy-saving behaviours and building tenant confidence.

Landlords should consider reviewing their existing tenant information packs and communication strategies in light of this guide. Providing clear, consistent information can support tenant retention and satisfaction, which are increasingly important in a competitive rental market.

Remaining uncertainties and future developments

While the guide provides a valuable framework, some practical challenges remain. The variability in property types, tenant demographics, and regional energy costs means landlords must tailor their approach to their specific circumstances. The guide does not replace legal obligations but complements them by focusing on tenant experience.

Future regulatory changes may further formalise tenant information requirements, but the timing and scope of such measures are not yet confirmed. Landlords should monitor government announcements and official guidance to ensure ongoing compliance and best practice.

Additionally, the impact of emerging technologies such as smart meters and home automation on tenant engagement remains an evolving area. Landlords and agents will need to stay informed about how to support tenants in using these technologies effectively.

Key considerations for landlords now

• Download and review the energy efficiency guide from the Future Homes Hub Knowledge Centre to understand recommended practices.
• Assess current tenant communication materials and identify gaps in energy efficiency information and support.
• Incorporate energy efficiency details into marketing, tenancy agreements, and tenant handover processes.
• Train letting and property management staff on how to explain energy-saving features and technologies to tenants.
• Keep records of tenant communications and information provided as part of compliance and customer service evidence.
• Stay updated on MEES and other regulatory developments related to energy efficiency and tenant rights.

Supporting landlords with compliance and tenant engagement

The Landlord Association (TLA) offers members access to compliance resources and practical guidance that can assist in implementing the recommendations from the new energy efficiency guide. Through TLA membership, landlords and letting agents can explore tools to organise property records, monitor regulatory changes, and maintain documentation of tenant communications and property maintenance.

TLA’s new property management and compliance platform, ORBIT, currently available in BETA testing, is designed to help landlords and agents keep all rental documents and records in one place. ORBIT’s developing features include support for recording key actions such as repairs and tenant communications, which are crucial for demonstrating compliance with energy efficiency and tenancy regulations.

Members can access TLA’s compliance resources to prepare for new obligations, review local licensing requirements, and ensure their tenancy procedures reflect best practice in tenant engagement and energy efficiency. Exploring TLA membership and ORBIT BETA access can provide practical support for landlords aiming to improve tenant satisfaction and meet evolving regulatory standards.

Landlords should consider integrating these resources into their management approach to enhance tenant support and maintain compliance as energy efficiency regulations continue to develop.

Looking ahead, landlords who proactively adopt comprehensive tenant communication strategies alongside physical energy improvements will be better positioned to meet regulatory expectations and tenant demands, supporting long-term portfolio performance and tenant retention.

Sources: Landlord Today