Lettings agents’ body Propertymark says its proposal for tax incentives to be offered for landlords is one measure under consideration by the Welsh Parliament, known as the Senedd.
A statement from the trade body says the Senedd has listened to its suggestion for tax incentives for landlords to help decarbonise the private rented sector.
The UK government has consulted on a proposal for all new tenancies to meet an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C from April 1 2025 and existing tenancies by April 1 2028, but landlords and agents are still waiting on clarity on decarbonisation targets.
Now the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee is weighing up a Propertymark idea to offer grants or interest free loans to landlords to help them decarbonise and to finance retrofit.
Other examples of incentives could be through the taxation system with possible reduced rates of the Welsh equivalent of stamp duty - known as Land Transaction Tax - or council tax rebates for both landlords and homeowners.
These ideas are amongst 29 recommendations made by the committee and now submitted to the Welsh Government.
Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s head of policy and campaigns, says: “Propertymark supports the Welsh government’s aims of achieving net zero and moves to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Wales. A long-term housing decarbonisation strategy with cross-party support and realistic targets can help to achieve this.
“We’re really pleased to see that our proposals such as the availability of interest-free grants for landlords, requests for an agreed timetable and milestones for the sector, the production and inclusion of a clear decarbonisation strategy, alongside calls for the minister to provide clarity on how she will raise awareness have all been recommended to the Welsh government.
“We now urge the Welsh Government to act upon these recommendations and work with the UK government to introduce policies that allow landlords and homeowners to decarbonise their homes and properties in Wales.”
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