Get help meeting energy efficiency standards this winter

Tenants and landlords are being encouraged to seek support to help improve the energy efficiency of their rented property this winter.

The good news is that there are national grants available for tenants and their landlords to make improvements to help improve the energy efficiency of rented properties; this assistance is subject to certain stipulations and conditions. Under Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) the Government expects landlords to have spent up to £3,500 to improve the energy performance of E, F or G rated properties.

These grants offer the opportunity to install these measures for a contribution of as little as £1,000.

Even on an existing tenancy, if the certificate is the lowest F or G rating, the landlord would be required to make the necessary improvements to raise the EPC rate to minimum E.

In certain circumstances, landlords may be able to claim an exemption. This would need to be registered on the National Exemptions Register.  The council will work with landlords to achieve this minimum, but failure to do this or register an exemption is an offence and the council could consider issuing a Civil Penalty.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for physical infrastructure, said:-

“I would really encourage tenants and their landlords to ensure their properties comply under the ‘Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards’ (MEES) legislation.

“With climate change being one of the greatest challenges we face, more extreme weather is likely to generate higher maintenance and insurance costs for landlords and higher utility bills for tenants, and we all have a part to play in reducing the carbon emissions, which are responsible.

“Housing accounts for around 30% of Shropshire’s carbon emissions, but reducing heat loss through better insulation and installing more energy efficient and low carbon heating and lighting will help to significantly reduce them.

“Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner or tenant, you may be able to take advantage of some great offers to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your energy bills at little or no cost.”

For more information on specific eligibility or to be referred into a scheme please contact us:

• On our website
• By email: affordablewarmth@shropshire.gov.uk
• By phone Keep Shropshire Warm on 0800 112 3743

You can also find out more what other there is available to help keep you home warm this winter here. https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2021/12/winter-energy-costs-support/

For more detailed information surrounding EPC requirements please see the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 here.

You can also contact our housing enforcement team housing.enforcement@shropshire.gov.uk or call 0345 678 9000