Context
The MP highlighted specific cases where landlords and charities have decided to sell or leave properties due to the high costs associated with upgrading them to an EPC rating of C. He mentioned individual landlords, the National Trust, and Abbeyfield charity as examples.
Question
I understand the answer that the Minister just gave, but when individual private landlords with just one or two properties are coming to my surgeries to say they will simply sell up and remove those properties from the private rented sector because they cannot afford to bring properties up to EPC C, when the National Trust is leaving properties in the village of Bradenham completely empty because it cannot afford to bring those rural homes up to EPC C, and when the charity Abbeyfield has closed its Princes Risborough property because it could not afford to bring it up to EPC C, displacing elderly and vulnerable residents, does the Minister agree that if the Government are to bring in new regulations, it is equally incumbent on them to help provide funding?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Rushanara Ali)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Raising standards in the private rented sector could lift up to 550,000 people out of fuel poverty. There are a number of schemes to support landlords to improve their properties, and they can look at their eligibility through gov.uk. In particular, there are schemes such as the boiler upgrade scheme, which offers £7,500 off the cost of heat pumps. We look forward to working in partnership with the sector, because we recognise that it is an important sector.
Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a direct commitment to additional funding or financial support for landlords and charities facing high costs when upgrading properties.
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