Generation Rent research indicates that Minority Ethnic communities are more likely to be living in colder homes that are more difficult and expensive to keep warm than their white counterparts.
A survey we conducted with 104 private renters in the UK found that Minority Ethnic renters were more likely report significant difficulties in keeping their homes warm. Almost a quarter (23%) of Minority Ethnic renters said that it was “impossible” to keep their home warm, compared to 14% of white respondents. Minority Ethnic respondents reported that it was more expensive to keep their homes warm as well, with 46% stating that their energy bills were £150 or more a month, compared to 40% of white respondents.
The research also uncovered details surrounding the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) of the homes of private renters. EPCs are a measure of how energy efficient a property is – with properties rated A the most efficient and those rated G the least.
Less than half of white respondents (42%) were able to find a valid EPC of their property, but this dropped even further to 20% amongst Minority Ethnic respondents. It is a legal requirement for all rental properties to have an EPC, and landlords are required to ensure that the property is rated E or higher.
Lower EPCs suggest poorer standards – with properties ill-equipped at retaining heat often old, poorly insulated, and at risk of damp, condensation and mould. The research therefore indicates that Minority Ethnic renters are significantly more likely than their white counterparts to be living in properties not up to basic energy standards and in poorer conditions.
How will this change?
In October 2023, the last government abandoned plans to raise minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). They had formally committed to requiring all privately rented homes to reach at least a C rating by 2028, something which would have dramatically improved standards for private renters.
However, in their first week in office, our new government committed to making sure privately rented homes have an Energy Efficiency Rating of at least ‘C’ by 2030.
Privately rented homes have worse energy efficiency compared to social housing and private renters are at highest risk of fuel poverty, which is when you can’t afford to heat your home comfortably. This research indicates not only a significant lack of valid EPCs on private rented homes already but also that Ethnic Minority communities are being forced to live in some of the worst homes in the market.
The restoring of these EPC targets is a lifeline for renters desperately in need of greater energy efficient and better-quality homes. We will regain a vital mechanism by which landlords will be required to meaningfully improve their homes and their tenants’ lives.
Want to find out more about your own home? Check your home’s EPC on our website here
Interested in finding out more about EPC’s and fuel poverty? Read about our fuel poverty research here.
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