Mortgage providers could be required to publish the energy efficiency data for their property portfolios and could agree to meet a portfolio average of EPC Band C by 2030, as the government consults on new proposals.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is seeking views on how mortgage lenders can help householders to improve the energy performance of their homes.
This consultation sets out a suite of policy proposals as part of a broader package covering domestic and non-domestic private rented, social, and owner-occupier sectors.
The government’s preferred voluntary target option is that lenders agree to meet a portfolio average of EPC Band C by 2030.
One option could see mortgage providers sign up to any improvement targets on a voluntary basis, with efforts backed by ‘some form of self-regulation that is comparable across lenders’ that would be developed by the market.
BEIS states that voluntary targets are ‘very much’ their preferred approach, but views are sought whether they should introduce a mandatory target to build on action taken by lenders during a voluntary phase.
In 2017, the government set out its aspiration in the Clean Growth Strategy for as many homes as possible to be upgraded to EPC Band C by 2035 where ‘practical, cost-effective and affordable.’
The consultation is seeking views of mortgage lenders and brokers, home valuers, estate agents and others involved in the sale of homes, and those in the energy efficiency supply chain, including installers, domestic energy assessors, as well as accreditation and enforcement bodies.
This consultation closes at
More information about this consultation is available on the government website.
