How could curtains reduce rental energy costs?

Curtains reduce heat loss through windows, helping homes stay warmer and lowering heating costs for renters.

Would landlords have to pay for curtains under the Bill?

Yes. The proposed law would make window coverings part of landlords’ responsibilities under healthy homes standards.

Labour Bill Targets Rental Energy Costs With Curtain Rule

Q: What does Labour’s curtain bill propose?

The Bill would require landlords to provide insulated curtains or window coverings in rental properties.

ByThe Daily Blog 23 May 202624 May 2026

Renters are getting hammered by rising power prices, freezing homes and soaring rents — and Labour thinks one surprisingly simple change could help cut those costs: making landlords provide proper curtains in rental properties.

Labour MP Helen White’s Member’s Bill to make landlords provide curtains in rental homes has been pulled from the Biscuit Tin today, offering a practical way to cut power bills for renters as energy prices soar under the National Government.

Labour says curtains could cut renters’ power bills

The Residential Tenancies (Requiring Landlords to Provide Curtains) Amendment Bill would require landlords to provide insulated curtains or window coverings in rental properties.

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“Curtains might sound like a small thing, but up to 30% of energy loss in an insulated home escapes through uncovered windows,” Helen White said.

“Right now, renters already struggling with the high cost of living are being doubly hit with additional costs: once if they buy and install window coverings, and again through higher power costs.”

Why renters are currently paying twice

The Bill would extend the existing healthy homes standards to include window coverings, making it the responsibility of landlords to provide them, rather than tenants.

“Because curtains are a fixture that stays in the home, it is logical that landlords, not tenants, supply window coverings that can help with insulation.

“With energy prices up nearly 20% under this Government, this Bill is a practical way that we can put some money back in renters’ pockets.

“On the same day that National announced they are increasing rents for the country’s most vulnerable, my Bill is all about on lowering costs for renters.

“I look forward to debating my Bill in the House and urge my colleagues in Parliament to support it,” Helen White said.

With energy costs continuing to climb and winter power bills hitting renters hardest, Labour is positioning the Bill as a practical cost-of-living measure rather than another abstract housing debate.