Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe has called for the introduction of a rent increase ban for buildings with an ‘F’ energy rating or below. MEP Cuffe says this measure will offer some relief to renters living in cold and draughty homes, and will also encourage landlords to undertake measures to improve the energy performance of their buildings. Similar measures are in place in other European countries, such as Belgium. This ban should complement rent increase caps already in place in pressure zones in Dublin and other areas.

MEP Cuffe said: “Rent increases for poorly performing buildings are particularly unfair when tenants are already paying more through higher energy bills. The most cost-effective and long-lasting measure to reduce energy bills is to renovate these buildings, and we should encourage landlords to do so. Bringing a building up one or two energy classes doesn’t require massive investment – it’s possible to go from a G to an E with ‘light touch’ options, such as replacing single-glazed windows with double glazing, or installing attic insulation, or thermostatic radiator valves.

“We have seen this measure work well in other European countries. For a city like Dublin that is experiencing an acute housing crisis, we should offer relief to renters where we can.”

MEP Cuffe is lead negotiator in the European Parliament for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), a new law which aims to gradually phase-out the most energy inefficient buildings in Europe by 2050. In the final law, MEP Cuffe would like to see the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for buildings, which increase over time. These standards should be accompanied by appropriate financial supports and social safeguards to protect people living in energy poverty, and to enable broad access to the benefits of energy efficient homes. MEP Cuffe’s negotiating position protects against so-called ‘renovictions’ (evictions through renovations) by banning rent increases by landlords who have received financial support to undertake a renovation.