Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the funding required for local authorities to ensure the enforcement of proposed new minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector.

Local authorities are key to enforcement and my department has engaged with them extensively throughout policy development.

Government is already taking steps to empower local authorities, including proposing increasing the maximum fine to £30,000 per-property per-breach, carrying out significant improvements to the Exemptions Register, and introducing a Landlord Database through the Renters’ Rights Bill. These steps will better enable local authorities to identify non-compliant properties in their area and take action to support landlords to comply.