Heating or Homelessness: The Tenant Choice

The Welsh resisted English rule for centuries. The region boasts some of the finest cultural, societal and industrial landmarks of the 21st century.

But that is in the past.

Like the idea of a political party that fights for those in need.

It's everyone for themself.

The fifth annual report from the Welsh TPAS Cymru, tells us of tenants with no choices.

Where before, they had reported on older homeowners trapped in poor quality housing the latest report notes a transition to young and minorities (BAME) being left behind in the efficiency drive to retrofit housing.

As one tenant put it;

“We can’t afford to heat our homes properly, and when we do, the heat escapes through old windows.”

With rental incomes set to increase by 17% in the next 2 years according to a recent Hamptons report, some landlords have already chipped up their rents, but haven't improved their homes.

Rent And Fuel Hikes For Inefficient Homes

With their survey reaching respondents across Wales, the feedback which struck us quite hard was the apparent willingness of landlords to raise rents when energy efficiency measures, either had not been added or measures appeared to have been ineffective for tenants.

With many respondents unaware of what measures where doing to their properties, we appear to have the bizarre situation where renters in both social housing and the private rental sector (PRS) where have retrofit done to them, not with them.

How did we get there?

In addition, Wales is seeing the highest energy price rises in the UK with North Wales, according to the report getting an average dual fuel bill of £1,947 after the April price rise - that's the highest in the UK.

So it comes as no surprise that tenants reported in 70% of cases, their fuel bills were simply unaffordable.

And yet rents are going up.

Ignorance is one reason, or rather lack of communication.

The youngest renters registered just 14% when asked if they understood the EPC Energy Performance Certificate and what it meant for their property and their energy use.

Disabled Renters and Carers Being Hit

And yes, the whipping post of the current government, disabled tenants and their carers, feature heavily, in over a third of cases, people who were affected where either disabled or caring for someone.

79% of this group had either not been informed or did no know what the EPC grading for their property meant for them. But they all knew what the the grading was (82%).

Whilst this news was chilling enough. Reading the comments from households is like being transported back to a Dickensian vision of Britain.

"My windows really need replacing. You can hear the wind coming through, and when it’s bad, you can’t even hear the TV - that’s how bad the whistling is. You can even feel the wind if you’re sitting by the windows, so I know my heating is just going out through them"

Or;

"My heating system is outdated, and my home suffers from rising damp that has existed for over 15 years. Any improvements do not have the full impact."

So at some point here we have a disconnect between social housing and private renters and their energy efficiency measures. What can be done?

Tenants Want Change - But At What Price?

Although the idea of transition from GHG fuels where receiving supportive comments from the Welsh tenants, many foresaw more rent rises from the supposed improvements or changes.

"Electricity is more expensive than gas, so I am worried this will cost me more."

Recommendations

The report narrowed down some key recommendations;

Landlords and tenants should work together to create a roadmap for communicating about WHQS, Net Zero, affordable warmth. This plan can be built on the best practices from within and outside the sector.

Improve awareness and accessibility of EPC ratings and heating efficiency benefits. Given the steep decline in EPC awareness (especially among younger renters), housing providers must ensure that EPC ratings and their financial impact are clearly communicated at the point of rental. Policies should encourage landlords to display EPC ratings prominently and provide guidance on expected heating costs.

Address structural housing issues, particularly windows and insulation, as part of Net Zero improvements. Tenant concerns about heat loss due to outdated windows and poor insulation show that heating system upgrades alone are not enough. Landlords should prioritise structural improvements alongside efficiency measures to ensure homes retain heat effectively.

Organise regular workshops or seminars that focus on practical aspects of affordable warmth. Additionally, create opportunities for tenants and staff to learn more about the forthcoming challenges in decarbonising housing.

Akshita Lakhiwal, Net Zero Lead at TPAS Cymru, issued a stark warning:

“This report is a wake-up call. Heating affordability is at breaking point, and tenants are being pushed to the brink. Landlords, policymakers, and the government must take immediate action to ensure everyone is on the same page"

Can Retrofit Make A Difference?

We know that retrofit at scale is a challenge. But much of what is covered in this report is low hanging fruit.

Private rental properties are in the midst of a tussle between landlords who are looking to either improve or offload their properties.

Social housing is fighting for an ever decreasing pot of social housing improvement funding.

And left at the very end. Are those that need it the most.

People.

What this report highlights.

More than anything, is that we need to make change fast.

Or we risk sending the very thing created by Aneurin Bevan, our beloved NHS.

More patients. Because.

Housing matters. Homes matter.

And people. They matter.

Broken homes make people sick.