Government launch scheme to help landlords with energy-efficiency improvements

Government launch scheme to help landlords with energy-efficiency improvements

0:01 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago 7

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Landlords and homeowners could save hundreds of pounds towards energy-efficient improvements following the launch of the Great British Insulation Scheme.

The scheme aims to help families on the lowest incomes and extend support to a wider range of households compared to other existing government-funded schemes.

Those eligible for support under the scheme include families in council tax bands A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and Wales, with an EPC rating of D or below.

Save money on energy bills

The government says the scheme will help more than 300,000 people save money on their energy bills for installing measures including cavity wall and loft insulation.

Along with homeowners, landlords and tenants are being encouraged to apply, with tenants asked to speak to their landlord first to get permission.

This support will run alongside the existing Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which offers free home energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels to families on low incomes.

Improving energy security

Mike Thornton, chief executive, of Energy Saving Trust said: “Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is a vital part of addressing both the energy crisis and climate emergency.

“By reducing demand for fossil fuels it provides a triple win long-term solution for cutting energy bills, decreasing carbon emissions and improving energy security.

“The launch of the Great British Insulation Scheme is therefore a welcome development as it will mean more households are eligible for financial support for insulation measures and comes at a crucial time as we approach the colder winter months.”

ULEZ for rural communities

The scheme comes after the government signalled it could shelve plans to ban oil-fired boilers by 2026.

According to the Times, the government is looking at revising the 2026 date altogether. A Tory rebellion has been mounting against the ban with former Environment Secretary George Eustice likening the 2026 boiler ban to “Ulez for rural communities”.

A government source said ministers wanted to take a “pragmatic” approach to reaching net zero. The audit of policies is seen as a way to address voters’ cost of living concerns.

According to consultancy firm Eco Experts, a new oil-fired boiler costs about £4,700 on average, compared with £10,000 for a heat pump.


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

9:14 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

with all these 'eco' schemes being only pumped for those properties below a D I get the feeling IF there is any plan to raise any EPC standard, its only going to be to a minimum of a D at best.

Given Sunak's latest 'realisation' that any mandatory increase to C and outlawing of gas boilers by X date is going to be one almightly calamity (and vote looser) he's back peddling with fury now....

Beaver

9:21 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 20/09/2023 - 09:14
Whenever I've looked at these schemes in the past the people deciding whether you can get a grant are an energy company wanting to sell you cavity wall insulation and unless you say yes to the cavity wall insulation then you can't get the grant.

If putting in cavity wall insulation would cause problems you are unable to access the grant.

Raz

10:02 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Still no help for landlords with electric only properties for upgrading electric radiators, though live-in homeowners can apply through Home Grant.

Dylan Morris

10:08 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Raz at 20/09/2023 - 10:02
Why not just lay the loft insulation yourself …..on offer at Wickes £26 a roll. Get your average loft done for £200. Admittedly cavity wall insulation needs a specialist.
I reckon most people with more than half a brain cell have improved their insulation already to the required 300mm but of course the Government think it helps if they keep spouting off about it.

Reluctant Landlord

10:21 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 20/09/2023 - 09:21
yes I found the same. All a lovely PR exercise but nothing meaningful behind and limited take up as a result. But that's probably the plan right?

Reluctant Landlord

10:23 AM, 20th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Raz at 20/09/2023 - 10:02
yep agreed, I have properties that dont have gas and rely on electric. Tenants on benefits but I am not about to start replacing older type elec wall heaters with new £900 plus eco saving heaters. They will 'save' nothing as they don't turn them on in the first place. These properties are all currently a D.

AnthonyJames

15:10 PM, 23rd September 2023, About 8 months ago

I have one HMO tenant on benefits, but when I looked into getting my house energy assessed for fitting external wall insulation, the assessor said that in practice I'd be lucky to get £2000 under ECO4. The EWI alone was going to cost me around £23,000 for a 4-bed detached with 140m2 floor area.

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