Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has announced plans to ensure all landlords meet minimum energy efficiency standards under the Green Deal.
At the second reading of the Energy Bill, Mr Huhne set out the scope of new regulations that would increase the reach of the Green Deal and aim to better protect tenants.

Under the proposals, from April 2016 landlords will not be able to refuse reasonable requests from tenants, or local authorities acting on behalf of tenants, to improve their property.

In addition, from April 2018 the government will make it unlawful to rent out a house or business premise which has less than an 'E' energy efficiency rating, ensuring at least 682,000 properties will have to be improved to be in line with the Green Deal.

Families would also be able to apply for up to £10,000 each to pay for energy-efficiency improvements on their properties as part of the Government's Energy Bill, which will support both homeowners and landlords to help improve energy efficiency with money to pay for new boilers, insulation and central-heating systems.

People will be able to access finance in order to pay for the upfront cost of work which will be paid back through savings on lower fuel bills. The move to influence the energy efficiency of the rental sector is designed to help the most vulnerable, as more than a quarter of a million of the worst insulated rented homes are classed as fuel poor.

Chris Huhne added: 'Our proposals provide a voice for tenants living in poorly insulated, draughty homes. The Green Deal is a win-win opportunity for landlords by removing the upfront cost of work to upgrade the property making it cheaper to run, more environmentally friendly and ultimately more attractive to rent. For those landlords who don't take up the Green Deal then we will get tough so that by 2018 the poorest performing rented housing stock is brought up to a decent standard.'

• In the budget the Chancellor George Osborne committed to introduce measures to encourage and incentivise the take up of the Green Deal ahead of its introduction in the autumn 2012.

Read the Energy Bill second reading here.