Landlords need to access low-cost loans to meet ambitious energy efficiency targets.

That’s the message from the National Residential Landlords Association which says that without such loans, landlords could be forced to sell up, worsening the supply crisis. 

The UK Government has proposed raising the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) to EPC Band C by 2030, with a proposed cost of up to £15,000 per property. 

In its submission to the Welsh Government ahead of the publication of the Draft Budget 2026–27 later this month, the association says the Welsh administration must work with the Development Bank of Wales to provide low interest retrofit loans to support private landlords.

The NRLA is also calling for cash to help local authorities meet new commitments introduced under other Welsh Government measures – the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation Bill and the Building Safety Bill – to help those councils meet their responsibilities.  

In addition it wants a full rebate of the 5% Land Transaction Tax (LTT) levy on additional residential properties, if they are made available to rent through an initiative called Leasing Scheme Wales (LSW) . This scheme sees landlords commit to long-term leasing arrangements with local authorities.

“We argue a LTT rebate will directly encourage landlords with well-maintained properties to participate, increasing supply and improving outcomes for tenants” says the NRLA.