Landlords and tenants warned over fake energy efficiency schemes

Letting agents must inform their landlord clients and tenants about the dangers of fake energy efficiency schemes, Propertymark is warning.

The alert comes after the UK Government launched several grants to help households install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, heating and renewable energy.

This is part of its plan to decarbonise homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Many of these grants are free for eligible households – including for tenants in rented homes – but some require a contribution from the homeowner or tenant.

Not all energy efficiency schemes are genuine

However, not all of these energy efficiency schemes are genuine, and some are run by scammers and rogue traders who offer poor quality work and charge extra fees that were not agreed in writing.

They often use cold calling, doorstepping and online adverts to lure unsuspecting customers, and claim to be affiliated with the government or other reputable organisations.

Propertymark warns that these scammers are exploiting the growing demand for energy efficiency solutions, which can lower energy bills and improve the comfort and value of homes.

It is now urging agents to educate their landlord clients and tenants on how to spot and avoid these scams, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The organisation points to a case last September when six men were sentenced to prison for defrauding 62 people out of £10.5 million by selling them exterior wall and roof coating products that they falsely claimed were ‘guaranteed’ to cure damp and cut heating costs.

Be alert to scams and stay safe

Propertymark offers this checklist to help protect landlords and tenants from being scammed by those promoting fake energy efficiency schemes:

• Check the reputation of the company before buying anything. Look at their website, read reviews, ask for references, verify their details using external sources, and read the terms and conditions carefully
• Check the certification of the scheme and the trader. Look for schemes that are endorsed by the UK Government, such as TrustMark, and check the credentials of the trader using their website or phone number
• Get written quotes and a contract before agreeing to any work. Compare quotes from at least three different contractors to see if the price is fair. Make sure the contract includes all the details of the work, the cost, the payment method and the warranty. Do not sign anything that you do not understand or agree with
• Pay with a secure method and avoid paying up-front. Credit cards, PayPal and debit cards offer more protection than cash or bank transfers. If the work is expensive, try to pay in stages as the work progresses, and avoid paying the full amount before the work is completed and inspected
• Be suspicious and take your time to make a decision. Scammers and rogue traders can be very persuasive and use pressure tactics to make you buy their products or services. If you are contacted unexpectedly or feel rushed to make a decision, it is probably a scam.

If a landlord or tenant believes they have been scammed or approached by a scammer, then help is available from Citizens Advice. They can also help you get your money back and report the scam to the relevant authorities.

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