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Raising energy efficiency standards – responsibilities and assistance
Fiona HartProject Development Manager
National Energy Action (NEA)
Overview
NEA – who we areFuel poverty – causes and effectsIncreasing energy efficiencyCurrent legislation – HHSRSSupport for private sector landlordsGreen Deal and legislative changesQuestions and discussionFeed-back and further information
National Energy Action – who we are
National fuel poverty charityEstablished 1981Supporting households in fuel povertySupporting organisations that work with fuel poor
householdsCampaigning and working with governmentWorking with businesses and utility companiesResearch and demonstration projectswww.nea.org.uk
Fuel poverty in the private rented sector
- Causes Definition of fuel poverty“The inability to afford to heat the home adequately”. Households that need to spend more than 10% of their income
on fuel Children, young people, chronically sick, disabled, older people
and low income groups are most at riskPrivate rented sector specific causes ‘Hard to treat’ properties Investment rationale is driven by the market and regulations as
opposed to investment in own home Low income / vulnerable households Transient populationsExacerbated by: Rising fuel prices Recession and overall inflation Colder winters
Fuel poverty in the private rented sector
- Effects
Potential issues for the landlord Deterioration of the property Increased maintenance and repair costs Reduction in the asset value of the property Fuel arrears attached to property Rent arrears Reduction in re-let potential
Impact on tenant Cold, damp home Condensation and mould Difficulties paying fuel bills Health problems worsened
Increasing energy efficiency in the
private rented sector – prioritisation
35%WallsSavings: £130 - £160
25%
RoofSavings: £50 - £180
10% Windows Savings:Up to £165
15% Draughts Savings: £20 15%
FloorSavings: £20 - £70
Increasing energy efficiency in the
private rented sector – measures
Insulation Loft Cavity wall Solid wall Highly recommended where there is electric / oil heating
Heating Consider new efficient system where old / partial system or
frequent callouts for repairs Heating controls
Ventilation Extractor fans Trickle vents in windows
Advice to tenants
Increasing energy efficiency in the
private rented sector – tenants
Role of tenants Efficient use of heating and hot water systems Lifestyle factors that decrease potential condensation
All inclusive rents could result in high landlord fuel bills; these can be reduced through energy efficiency measures
Advice pack for tenants Heating control instructions Energy advice leaflet Advice on minimising condensation Instructions on engaging with energy companies: Sources of advice - Home Heat Helpline, CAB, Debt advice
agencies
Current legislation - HHSRS Housing Act 2004 Risk assessment tool to identify hazards For use by local authorities in private rented, owner
occupied and registered social landlord housing sectors Principle: Any residential property should provide a safe
and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor
Assessment: Scoring number & degree of hazards Banded as category 1 or 2 hazards
Excess cold Excess heat Damp and mould growth
Pollutants
Space (lack of) Security Lighting Noise
Hygiene / sanitation
Accidents (falls, fires etc)
Structural collapse
HHSRS – local authority role Scoring based on risk to most vulnerable
potential occupant Statutory duty to enforce where category 1
hazards are identified Enabled to address category 2 hazards Formal and informal approaches to enforcement Production of schedule of remedial works N.B. No heating/inadequate/unaffordable heating
can be assessed as a CAT 1 Excess Cold hazard
Support for Private Sector Landlords – CERT
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target Obligation on domestic energy suppliers to help
customers reduce carbon emissions Discounted loft, cavity and solid wall insulation Discounted renewable energy measures such as solar water
heating Priority and super priority groups can receive free measures Available until Autumn 2012 Opportunity: Suppliers are looking to the private rented sector to
identify priority and super priority customers eligible for free measures
Recommendation: Take advantage of this scheme while it is still available
Support for Private Sector Landlords – Warm Front
Government’s fuel poverty programme Heating and insulation measures Eligibility criteria: disability or income-related benefits and an
energy inefficient property Declining Warm Front measures can lead to Carillion
contacting your local authority and a HHSRS inspection being carried out
Recent changes: Small increase in overall budget New eligibility criteria April 2011 Programme will be phased out by 2013
Recommendation: Take advantage of this scheme while it is still available
Support for landlords - LESA
Landlords Energy Saving AllowanceTax allowance for cost of buying certain energy
saving itemsUp to £1,500 against tax - properties you rent out in
the UK and abroadClaimed for actual expenditureClaim when filling in tax return up to 1st April 2015Rules on apportionment and other restrictions may
applyContact local tax office and tax advisor
Green Deal Green Deal
Energy Act 2011 “Pay as you save” financial mechanismNo upfront cost for measures Costs recouped in instalments through electricity bill
ECO (Energy Company Obligation)Vulnerable (under-heating)Hard to treat Eligibility criteria to be defined
Operational and legal framework under development including disclosure, accreditation
… other future legislative changes
Mandatory minimum standards
April 2016 = “Reasonable” requests for energy efficiency improvement.
April 2018 = illegal to rent out F & G rated properties UNLESS landlord has carried out maximum package of measures under Green Deal/ECO.
Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99
Citizens Advice Consumer Service08454 04 05 06
Energy Saving Advice Service
0300 123 1234
Warm Front 0800 316 2805
Useful contact numbers
NEA Newcastle Office
Fiona HartProject Development Manager
Fiona.hart@nea.org.uk
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