standards responsibilities and assistance Rebecca Jones Project - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Raising energy efficiency standards – responsibilities and assistance Rebecca Jones Project Development Coordinator National Energy Action

Overview  NEA – who we are  Fuel poverty – causes and effects  Increasing energy efficiency  Current legislation – HHSRS  Assistance  Legislative changes  Questions and discussion  Feed-back and further information

National Energy Action – who we are  National fuel poverty charity  Established 1981  Supporting households in fuel poverty  Supporting organisations that work with fuel poor households  Campaigning and working with government  Working with businesses and utility companies  Research and demonstration projects  www.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 risk Private 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 populations Exacerbated 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  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 Roof Savings: £50 - £180 25% Walls 35% 10% Windows Savings: Savings: £130 - £160 Up to £165 15% Draughts Savings: £20 15% Floor Savings: £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 Pollutants mould growth Space (lack of) Security Lighting Noise Hygiene / Accidents (falls, Structural sanitation fires etc) 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

Assistance • Energy Company Obligation (ECO) • Warm Home Discount Scheme • Fuel suppliers’ grants and hardship funds • Cold Weather Payment • Winter Fuel Payment • Priority Service Register • Local authority

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.

Useful contact numbers  Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99  Citizens Advice Consumer Service 08454 04 05 06  Energy Saving Advice Service Impartial ECO and other energy saving advice 0300 123 1234

NEA London & South East contacts Danni Crosland – Project Development Manager (based in London) Danni.Crosland@nea.org.uk 0207 250 8304 / 07711 593065 Rebecca Jones – Project Development Coordinator Rebecca.jones@nea.org.uk 01273 964 229/ 07738 417 448 Thank you – Any Questions??