Campaigns update: Making your voices heard where it counts

With new rules on the future of EPCs published, an appearance at the Greater London Assembly, the release of our Senedd Election Manifesto and more, January was a busy month for our campaigns team. Public Affairs officer Joshua Helm-Cowley looks at the work we have been doing to get your voices heard where it counts.  

Minimum energy efficiency standards

The Government’s long-awaited updated proposals on energy efficiency in private rented properties were published last month, with a number of key NRLA proposals making the cut. 

Ministers abolished plans that would bring in a minimum EPC C rating for landlords signing new tenancies by 2028 altogether, with a single 2030 compliance date announced and also reduced the spending cap from £15,000 to £10,000 – both of which were key calls of ours during the consultation. 

Also in line with our asks was the decision to reduce the cap even further for low value homes. Furthermore, spending on energy efficiency measures from October 2025 will count towards the cost cap, allowing landlords to spread the cost of any energy efficiency measures required across multiple years – another win. 

We ran a specialised MEES webinar with expert guests to discuss what these changes mean for you. If you did not sign up for this webinar at the time, you can watch the recording of this session here.  

You can also read more about the Government’s new MEES proposals here. 

Greater London Assembly

As May 1st edges ever closer, our chief executive Ben Beadle appeared in front of the Greater London Assembly’s (GLA) Housing Committee to share his concerns about the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act in the capital. 

With the abolition of section 21 it is widely expected, and even acknowledged by individuals within the Judiciary, that the demands on the courts service will increase when it comes to possession cases.  

Government statistics show that it currently takes an average of over eight months from filing a case for a landlord to gain possession under the grounds-based section 8 process, the highest-level since 2022, with concerns this will only increase once the act is implemented. 

Ben stressed landlords cannot be expected to go for wait this long for possession, especially in cases of arrears, where they could be left with no income. 

Ben also reminded the assembly that failure to tackle the situation in the courts, as well as other regulatory issues, could exacerbate the situation in London’s already shrinking rental market. 

You can read more on Ben’s appearance at the GLA here. 

Senedd Elections

January saw the release of our Senedd Election Manifesto, setting out key policies we believe the next Welsh Government must adopt to build a fair rental sector that works for Welsh renters and landlords.  

Informed by what you have told us, the Manifesto focuses on key aspects of the Welsh private rented sector such as ensuring a stable rental market, policies to help landlords improve the energy efficiency of their properties, enforcement of private rented standards and more. 

If you would like to read more about our Senedd Election Manifesto, you can do so here.

Finance Bill

You may remember that November’s Budget included measures to increase the taxes on income from property. At the time, we were clear that this measure would only push up rents and counterproductively worsen the cost-of-living crisis.  

Last month, with the Finance Bill before Parliament for scrutiny; Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP also expressed these concerns and cited us in his speech highlighting this potential impact on rents – showing politicians are listening to what we have to say. 

Keep an eye on our news site and social media channels for more.