The landlord group says that under proposed timelines private landlords might have less than two years to upgrade 2.5m homes.

Proposals that are currently under consultation state that every privately rented home should have an energy rating of at least C wherever possible.

Under the timelines set out, the new energy standards will be confirmed in late 2026, then applied to all new tenancies by 2028 and extended to all existing tenancies by 2030.

It could leave landlords with less than two years to upgrade over 2.5 million private rented homes that currently have a rating below C.

The NRLA says it supports the government’s objectives but the timelines are “simply unrealistic” due to a chronic and worsening shortage of skills tradespeople.

Kingfisher group, the owner of Screwfix, B&Q and Tradepoint, says the shortfall in skilled trades is set to rise to 250,000 by 2030.

The NRLA is instead calling for a slower, two stage implementation plan. 

It proposes that by 2030, landlords should be required to meet standards related to the fabric of a building, such as installing insulation where possible and required.

By 2036, all landlords should then meet further secondary standards related to the installation of smart meters and efficient heating systems.

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle says: “We want all private rented properties to be as energy efficient as possible. 

“However, tenants are being sold a pup with timelines that are hopelessly unrealistic.

“The idea that millions of homes can be retrofitted in less than two years is detached from all reality, not least given the chronic shortage of tradespeople the sector needs to get the work done.

“Noble ambitions mean little without practical and realistic policy to match.”

Buy-to-let lender Paragon recently expressed similar concerns, calling for a delay to the proposed deadline for landlords.