Propertymark has cautiously welcomed Rishi Sunak’s decision to weaken some of the government’s net-zero pledges on gas boilers and EPC ratings for landlords to ensure they are “proportionate”.

Rishi Sunak watered down the requirement on gas boilers so that households will only have to make the switch when they are changing their boiler anyway, and not until 2035.

The prime minister also scrapped proposed deadlines for a minimum C rating for new tenancies by 2025 and all rentals by 2028; a move welcome by landlords and letting agents.

Sunak also increased grants to help homeowners switching from boilers to heat pumps from £5,000 to £7,500.

Reflecting on Rishi Sunak’s statement regarding Net Zero and Energy Efficiency Targets, Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Property agents have been desperate for clarity from the UK Government on new plans for energy efficiency targets and now we know that the planned changes will be scrapped with no new targets for homeowners and landlords.

“Propertymark continues to want to see more energy efficient homes, but as we have long said the rules and requirements must be realistic and achievable for the sector.

“In the short-term, increasing grants for the boiler upgrade schemes will support more landlords and homeowners, but we know from member agents that awareness of the scheme remains low. Despite the cooling of approach from the Prime Minister we hope that this hands-off way of doing things allows homeowners and landlords to improve properties at a more flexible and affordable timetable which they can more easily manage.”