Landlords urged to help tenants meet fuel costs by making energy efficient upgrades to properties
Posted by Jane Codling
Those who use residential lettings agents to list property to rent in the UK could find they are better able to attract tenants by taking steps to improve energy efficiency.
According to a new report from Citizens Advice and Friends of the Earth, many people living in private rented accommodation are struggling to meet the cost of heating their homes due to the rising price of energy.
They claim that a large number of rented properties have low energy efficiency standards and poor insulation, meaning heat escapes easily and making homes more expensive to keep warm.
The two organisations are urging landlords to consider making improvements to their properties' energy efficiency in order to help tenants cope with rising heating bills.
This could also benefit landlords, as it means their tenants' finances will be less stretched and they will be less likely to fall behind with their rent.
The report points out that many energy efficient improvements can be made with little or no cost to the landlord, with, for example, some tenants eligible for free or discounted insulation from their energy company.
"People are desperate to make their fuel bills cheaper, but if you live in a privately rented home there is a limit on what you can do to stop heat seeping from the property and racking up a huge energy bill," said Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy.
"Rising rent and hikes in fuel costs are busting many people's budgets. So landlords need to speak to their tenants about what they can do together to make their home warmer - and their fuel bills cheaper."
Landlords could also find it easier to attract tenants in the future by improving energy efficiency as they will be able to offer occupants lower utility bills as a result.
Meanwhile, Citizens Advice and Friends of the Earth have also called on the government to bring forward, from 2018 to 2016, legislation that will mean landlords will be required by law to make sure their properties meet a minimum energy efficiency standard.
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