Efforts to keep Newcastle on track for its 2030’s Net Zero plan are facing challenges in the form of housing, with data exclusively analysed by JesmondLocal showing that 55% of rented homes in Jesmond are not meeting the higher quality energy performances needed to ensure a greener future. 

In the UK, houses are not currently required to meet certain energy performance levels. However the government has plans to introduce a long-term trajectory to improve the energy performance standards of privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030. This will ensure they are maintaining a quality of reduced carbon emissions.

Known as an EPC – an energy performance certificate – homes receive a grading from A-G, with A being the most carbon efficient, and G being the worst. Currently the UK has a median of band C across its housing stock.

By querying the government’s database of EPC certificates across the country, JesmondLocal established the average rating for properties on key roads across Jesmond.

The majority of homes in areas such as Manor House Road, Cavendish Road and Osborne Road, popular student locations, receive an average of a D grade on their EPCs, according to our analysis. Rented properties in particular are the hardest sector to convert to more energy efficient locations, due to lack of proper funding, as there is constant tenant turnover.  

Due to many houses in Jesmond being built in the late Victorian era, they do not have the infrastructure to capacitate modern upgrades such as new boilers, insulated roofs, or double glazed windows, due to the age of the building.

Alec Hern, a private landlord with property in both Newcastle city centre and Jesmond told JesmondLocal about the challenges with ensuring older buildings can evolve, and what students should do to have better knowledge of their own homes.

“For students it is essential that the transparency [from landlords] is there,” he said. “At the start of your tenancy you should be receiving your EPC rating, however a lot of the properties in Jesmond aren’t up to modern standards.”

Hern urged students and other residents in Jesmond to ask their energy assessor for the checklist you are given when having a home graded to see where you could improve.

Upgrades as simple as changing lights to LED bulbs, or storing water in empty fridges over the Christmas break all have the capacity to bring down a homes carbon footprint and therefore raise houses into a higher EPC band.

JesmondLocal spoke with Newcastle City Council’s climate policy and delivery officer, Reece Lloyd, who explained the goals Newcastle city has for the homes in areas such as Jesmond to ensure we stay on track to achieve Net Zero. 

Lloyd told JesmondLocal that “HMOs that students live in, especially Jesmond with historical properties is the most challenging sector to address”.

He added: “The private renters sector is much harder as you have to motivate the landlords to invest for insulation. Homes should be fabric first so they are well insulated, kept warm so there is lower energy demand, and adaptable”.

Lloyd explained that in the council’s priority action plan for greener housing there is discussion for working with private sector partners and housing organisations to deploy more green homes. 

Cllr Sarah Peters, a South Jesmond green councillor, told JesmondLocal: “The population of Jesmond has increased significantly over the last two decades, but the infrastructure hasn’t changed. I want there to be better community cohesion, and support between different groups to help ensure greener living.”