Dorset Council has been awarded £98,000 of Government funding, after applying to a national competition, to improve the most poorly insulated rented homes in Dorset.
In the last five years over 700 properties in Dorset have been rented with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is in the lowest two bands (F and G).
The council Housing Standards Team entered the competition with a plan to provide help for landlords to improve their energy efficiency and, where necessary, increase enforcement.
In the next few months all landlords with properties with low EPCs will be contacted. Grants will be available for improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation, more efficient boilers and solar panels.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Housing Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety said:
“This funding will help us improve some of the worst energy performing properties in Dorset, making sure that all properties provide safe and legal accommodation for residents.
“We already have a good relationship with landlords, and we want to develop more tools to help them decide how to improve their properties.
“Over the next few months landlords with a property with a low EPC score will be contacted by our Housing Standards officers.
“We will offer help and advice, but at the end of the day, we will also take enforcement action if that is what is necessary to improve these homes.”
Dorset Council is also looking to launch ways that help landlords get free expert advice and check for grants from the council’s Healthy Homes Dorset scheme run by Ridgewater Energy.
This will also help to identify the works necessary to improve their properties, how much they will cost and how much their EPC score will increase.
Background Information
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards project is funded by Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
More information for landlords about standards for rented homes as well as guidance for landlords on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards is available on on the Dorset Council website.
I don’t understand why landlords are being given funds for this. They are running businesses (from which they profit, presumably) and should meet the costs themselves.
Sharon, thank you for that comment and I do understand what you are saying. In most, if not all cases, the grant eligibility is actually based on the tenants means – not the landlord. Tenants have the most to gain from the works being carried out (lower bills – warmer home – better health), whereas the benefits to the landlord can be less obvious. In reality, for various reasons, grant uptake is fairly low and most works are funded by the landlord, backed up by enforcement from the Housing Standards Team. Thanks for your interest
This is a subject that is very relevant to me at the moment. Having worked from home for the last 20 months, I recall how cold I was last winter. Layering up to four items daily to little effect.
Yes, I have the option to returning to the office but obviously guidelines to keep windows open for ventilation are putting me off.
With the energy prices rising, I am fearful of putting any heating on during the day but at least I have the option at home, though leading to possible hardship.
I have an extremely good relationship with my landlord and did in fact forward to them, some information last year about the Green Grant being offered. Sadly, I am not sure if this was looked at.
Having spoken to an engineer only yesterday at a social function, she encouraged me to look at finding out what the ECP is on my home.
I have bought substantial curtains this year and am considering using reflective foil down the back of the radiators to see if this makes a difference.
I do not know where to start and feel uncomfortable about speaking to my landlord about it again.
The property I live in is old and I do not believe there is any insulation in the loft area.
Please can you help?
Hi there, if you have concerns about your rented home, there’s advice on our website here: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing/advice-for-tenants/report-poor-private-rented-housing-conditions
We also recommend contacting Dorset Citizens Advice on Freephone 0800 144 8848 if you are worried about being able to afford heating. Citizens Advice can also help you understand your legal rights in relation to this problem and help you speak to your landlord.
Imogen