More than two in five private renters in England and Wales rationed their gas and electricity last winter due to soaring energy bills. The stark finding from a Citizens Advice survey reveals the extent of the energy poverty crisis affecting millions of households.
Approximately 3.5 million private tenants struggled to heat their homes comfortably during the winter months. Many resorted to desperate measures including skipping hot meals, wearing gloves indoors, and limiting heating to just one room.
Poor housing quality drives crisis
The charity attributes much of the problem to heat escaping from substandard rental properties. A staggering 57 per cent of private renters live in homes with energy efficiency ratings below the government's EPC 'C' standard.
According to The Guardian, homes with EPC E ratings cost tenants an extra £317 in annual energy bills compared to efficient properties. The worst-rated homes could save residents £440 per year if upgraded to EPC C standard.
Landlord resistance creates barriers
Nearly one-third of renters avoid requesting essential repairs or energy efficiency improvements from their landlords. Tenants fear rent increases, eviction threats, or damaging relationships with property owners who control their housing security.
The Guardian reports that among renters who did request upgrades, 13 per cent faced demands for rent increases while seven per cent were flatly refused by landlords. Some tenants experienced hostile conditions after making such requests.
Government action and timeline
Citizens Advice is calling for urgent enforcement of the Renters' Rights Bill to protect tenants from landlord retaliation. The charity wants the government to mandate that all rental properties must achieve a minimum EPC C rating by 2030.
Birmingham Mail reports the government is expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme to over six million households as immediate winter support. However, this short-term measure doesn't address the underlying problem of inefficient rental housing stock.
Sources used: "Citizens Advice", "The Independent", "The Guardian", "Birmingham Mail"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
