The National Residential Landlords Association claims a ‘retrofitting skills gap’ is holding up reform of the Energy Performance Certificate system. 

In response to a government consultation on the future of Home Energy Model benchmarking, the NRLA highlights how the government’s suggested approach would require extensive additional training of EPC assessors.

This would be required to ensure the new Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime works effectively.

This further training for assessors could create a bottleneck as demand for assessors rises, ensuring that the existing – and limited – supply of qualified assessors is put under additional strain.

The consultation, held by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), wants views on proposed changes to how EPC ratings are determined. 

These new metrics are designed to help owner occupiers, landlords and renters better understand fabric performance and their heating systems, as well as the practical improvements they can make to improve their properties’ energy efficiency.

The consultation also follows the recent news that DESNZ has delayed the introduction of the new EPC regime until the second half of 2027, following “engagement with industry on the delivery timeline”.

Association chief executive Ben Beadle says:  “We recognise how crucial it is for the private rented sector to boost its energy efficiency. 

“But the government needs to be pragmatic when choosing the steps it wants to take to make this happen.

“If it doesn’t address the ‘retrofitting skills gap’ – the shortfall in those retrofitting professionals qualified to uphold EPC benchmarks – its changes to energy efficiency benchmarks are unlikely to succeed.”

You can read the NRLA’s response to the consultation in full here.