Written question WQ89520
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Minister explain the reasons for removing the date of energy performance certificate rating compliance for landlords in the Welsh Housing Quality Standards?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
The challenge of retrofitting our social homes is vast. Every single house has a different history and will require a variety of measures to achieve the targets set out in the new Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
The standard will require landlords to achieve an EPC rating of A but it is recognised that the journey to achieve these targets will not be easy and it will be reached in stages. The first stage of the journey is for landlords to undertake Whole Stock Assessments to understand where all their houses are on this journey. The next stage will be to produce a plan for each home called a Target Energy Pathway which will outline the measures that are required for that home and by when these measures will be installed.
Once those stages are completed, social landlords will have a much clearer picture on both the costs and a realistic timetable to achieve an EPC rating of A for each home. It is imperative that we work with landlords on this journey as technology and funding requirements become clearer. This is a long-term commitment and will only be achieved through collaboration by all parties.
In the interim, a medium-term target of EPC C – SAP 75 has been introduced by March 2030 to ensure that all social homes remain on course to achieving the longer-term target of EPC A.