More than 40% of private renters across England and Wales had no choice but to ration their gas and electricity this past winter, driven by spiraling energy bills that have become an unbearable burden for many. According to Citizens Advice, this means roughly 4.5 million tenants were forced to reduce their energy use just to keep the lights on and the heating ticking over—an appalling reflection of a system that too often places profit above people's basic needs. Alarmingly, about a third of these renters struggled to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature during the coldest months, highlighting glaring failures in property standards and landlord accountability.
This distressing situation is a direct consequence of a housing stock riddled with poorly insulated, inefficient properties—properties that most tenants have little power to improve due to years of neglect and weak regulations. Citizens Advice reports that a staggering 57% of rented homes fall into EPC ratings D or lower, with these substandard dwellings costing tenants hundreds of pounds extra each year just to stay warm. For instance, tenants in EPC E-rated properties are paying on average an additional £317 annually, while those in the worst, leakiest homes face exorbitant costs of up to £440. This is a national scandal that the government refuses to address with the urgency it demands.
Yet, despite the clear health and financial benefits of improved energy standards, many tenants are deterred from pressing their landlords to make necessary upgrades. Nearly one-third of renters avoid even asking for repairs or improvements due to fears of retaliation—whether through rent hikes, eviction threats, or outright refusals. For those who do attempt to seek change, nearly 13% report their landlords are seeking to increase rent, and 7% face outright refusals. This pattern of landlord complacency and neglect entrenches inequality and leaves vulnerable tenants to endure unlivable conditions.
Wider evidence paints an unforgiving picture: since 2021, private renters living in energy-inefficient homes—especially those below EPC D—have collectively spent over £4 billion extra on energy bills. While there is widespread support among renters to see upgrades, with 82% expressing willingness for improvements if landlords offered them, over 70% have chosen not to pursue upgrades for fear of financial or political retaliation. This entrenched apathy is a result of a landlord class that continues to prioritize profits over tenants' safety and comfort.
Despite promises from the government, meaningful action remains lacking. Citizens Advice is calling for strict regulations mandating landlords to upgrade housing standards swiftly, with clear rules that protect tenants from exorbitant costs and enable them to demand repairs without fear of reprisal. Recommendations include enforcing a minimum EPC C rating across all tenancies by 2030 and providing local authorities with the resources needed to ensure compliance. Yet, the government’s recent consultation leaves too many unanswered questions and insufficient commitments, risking yet another half-hearted attempt to address a crisis of their own making.
Additionally, the current system unfairly excludes vulnerable renters from crucial financial assistance. Schemes like the Warm Home Discount and the upcoming £400 energy grants often overlook tenants whose energy bills are managed directly by landlords—effectively denying support to those who need it most. This oversight disproportionately hits low-income families, young renters, and ethnic minorities, perpetuating social injustice under the guise of “progress.”
The government’s tepid response, hinting at raising standards yet offering few tangible steps, falls dangerously short. With energy costs soaring and millions trapped in cold, inefficient housing, the need for decisive policy reform has never been more urgent. The findings from Citizens Advice expose a broken system that has long favored vested interests at the expense of ordinary people—yet the political establishment continues to drag its feet on meaningful reform.
It is time for a government that genuinely prioritizes the safety, health, and dignity of its citizens—one that enforces strict standards, holds landlords accountable, and ensures support reaches those in need. Anything less sustains a crisis that no amount of rhetoric or delay can justify. The clock is ticking, and the public deserves better.
Source: Noah Wire Services