Low Carbon East Oxford (LCEO) is offering to carry out free energy audits on two-hundred privately rented homes with a view to encouraging and supporting landlords to make energy efficient changes. The group want to reduce the carbon footprint of the area but as there are so many rented properties, there are only small changes they can make without getting the landlords permission. The great inducement for landlords is the LCEO survey will cost them absolutely nothing.
The scheme is a partnership with other organisations including Low Carbon Hub, People and Planet and Joju Solar. The project will run throughout March and energy surveyors have already been trained to carry out full surveys of properties. The free survey will advise property owners on what changes can be made and how to access tax relief incentives such as the Landlord Energy Saving Allowance which many landlords are still unaware of. Everyone involved feels it’s a win-win scheme. Landlords will get help to improve their properties which in turn should lower bills such as maintenance and the price of landlord insurance, while tenants can get rid of their draughts and reduce their energy bills.
Energy group member, Catrina Pickering, said: “I think it’s really great that it’s happening because we have such a high proportion of rented property. It has always frustrated me that there was very little in the way of energy efficiency that could help me as a person who rents their home. The group will also be able to provide expertise on both how to make energy efficiency improvements and how to gain up to £1,500 of tax relief through the Government scheme.”
Four letting agents have attended the information events and all of them have shown a keen interest in being involved, and twenty independent landlords have also shown interest in being involved in the scheme. There will also be a competition for one home to become a Jubilee Superhome, with the winner being given solid wall insulation worth over £9,000.