Generation Rent claims ethnic minority tenants live in colder homes

Generation Rent research claims 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. 

The activist group’s survey underlying the claim was very small - just 104 private renters - but based on that Generation Rent claims 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 of the homes of private renters. 

Fewer 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. 

Generation Rent says that on the basis of this data: “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.”

In October 2023, the Conservative government abandoned plans to raise minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). It had previously formally committed to requiring all privately rented homes to reach at least C rating by 2028.

Campaigners say that privately rented homes have worse energy efficiency compared to social housing and private renters are at highest risk of fuel poverty.

Generation Rent concludes: “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.” 

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