Independent Age, the charity supporting older people on a low income, has called on the UK Government to ensure that plans to raise the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private rented sector (PRS) benefit tenants in later life.

Today it released Out of the cold: Making Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards work for older private renters, a report based on research with older renters and professionals from the energy advice sector. It sets out recommendations on how to get MEES right and calls for a “tenant-centred approach”.

The UK Government’s Warm Home Plan commits to new MEES for the PRS in England and Wales, rising from a minimum of an energy performance certificate of E or above to a C or above. This plan will mean a large proportion of PRS homes will need improving to meet the new standards.

The charity identified the potential for MEES to benefit older renters’ lives but also the risk that they could face disruptive works that could leave them worse off, potentially facing higher bills, rent hikes or even eviction.

Independent Age found that:
• 63% of older tenants would be worried about a rent increase and 35% would be worried about eviction if their landlord wanted to undertake work to improve the condition and energy efficiency of their home.
• Only one in four (25%) of tenants know the EPC rating of their home.
• Almost half (47%) of older tenants wouldn’t feel confident reporting an issue about the condition of their home to their local authority.