Generation Rent Pushes Back on Energy Grants ‘Enriching Landlords’

Generation Rent is calling on the UK Government to prevent landlords from raising rents after receiving public grants for energy efficiency upgrades. Their concern: without safeguards, tenants could face rent hikes that offset any energy bill savings, effectively turning taxpayer-funded improvements into a landlord windfall.

• The Warm Homes Local Grant helps landlords upgrade low-income rental properties to Energy Efficiency Rating C by 2030.
• Landlords must declare they won’t raise rents due to the grant—but Generation Rent argues there’s no enforcement mechanism.

Generation Rent’s Poll Claims

• Nearly 4 million private renters regularly struggle with energy bills—twice the government’s fuel poverty estimate.
• 3.6 million renters live with damp or mould; 25% in cold homes.
• 29% have unresolved maintenance issues; 1 in 20 report discrimination.

Legislative Angle

• Green Party’s Baroness Jenny Jones has tabled a Renters Rights Bill amendment banning post-upgrade rent rises funded by grants.
• She warns that improvements could disrupt tenants’ lives without guaranteeing lower living costs.