The Governments plans to improve the energy efficiency of private rented housing are unachievable according to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

The proposals currently under consideration could result in private landlords having less than two years to upgrade 2.5 million private rented homes to have an energy efficiency rating of at least a C.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, said: “We want all private rented properties to be as energy efficient as possible. However, tenants are being sold a pup with timelines that are hopelessly unrealistic. 

“The idea that millions of homes can be retrofitted in less than two years is detached from all reality, not least given the chronic shortage of tradespeople the sector needs to get the work done. 

“Noble ambitions mean little without practical and realistic policy to match.”

Whilst the NRLA supports the Government’s objectives, the timelines proposed are simply unrealistic due to a chronic shortage of tradespeople to undertake the work required, which is set to get worse as according to the Kingfisher group, which owns Screwfix, B&Q and Tradepoint, the shortfall in the number of skilled tradespeople in the UK is set to rise to 250,000 by 2030.