Landlord further inforation and useful contacts
National Federation of Landlords / 0845 456 9313 /

National Landlords Association / 020 7840 8900 /
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre / 0800 512012
01298 766880 /
HM Revenue & Customs / 020 7147 2599 /
EAGA Partnership Ltd (manage the Warm Front scheme) / 0191 247 3836 landlords team /
some interesting websites for you to visit
Energy Saving Trust /
Office of Gas & Electricity Regulation /
Boiler Efficiency Ratings /
Heating & Hotwater Industry Council /
Gas Safety Watchdog /
Institute of Energy Assessors /
Light bulbs - all shapes and sizes! / or
Leicester Energy Efficiency shop /
Find out the real cost of running your electric appliances /

Green Tariffs /
Grow Your Own Energy /
Renewable Energy Grants /
Centre for Alternative Technology /
SunGain – Nottingham Energy Partnership /
DEFRA’s carbon calculator /
Everybody’s Talking About Climate Change /

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Landlord Information.

Energy Efficiency in Rented Properties.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
9/10 St Ann’s Sq, Market Sq, Buxton
E-mail:
Tel: 0800 512 012 or 01298 766880 /

This information is for landlords of High Peak and Derby Dales. If you don’t live in either of these counties there may be similar information for your area by calling 0800 512 012.

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High Peak and Derby Dales Borough Councils are currently working to develop a landlords’ accreditation scheme, part of which will encourage local landlords to install energy efficiency measures within their properties by raising awareness of the grants and funding available. Although landlords won’t benefit from lower fuel bills themselves they will benefit in other ways.

BENEFITS OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Benefits for Landlords include:-

  • Reduced cold related damage to both the property and the contents.
  • Reduced repair costs eg less damage by mould growth and dampness, to plasterwork and walls.
  • Well insulated properties generally have lower maintenance costs due to reduced mould and condensation.
  • Properties with heating systems or those that feel warmer will often have shorter void times.
  • Fewer complaints from happier/healthier tenants
  • Insulation could be free if the tenant is over 70 or on qualifying benefits
  • Heating repair/installation also attract a large Warm Front grant if the tenant is on qualifying benefits.
  • Grants for discounted insulation and heating are available for all domestic properties.
  • All the above grants and discount schemes are time limited so please phone 0800 512 012 to check availability.

Benefits for Tenants include:-

  • Reduced fuel bills by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the home.
  • Increased thermal comfort.
  • In certain situations improved health when the house is warmer.
  • Reduced risk of falling into fuel poverty, where more than 10% of income is spent on space and water heating.

Tenant Packs

We can provide a range of useful information for new tenants in the form of a folder similar to the landlords pack. This will give general energy saving advice and some background information about why it is important to reduce our energy use, both to reduce fuel bills and to ‘do our bit’ to tackle climate change.

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We can also give advice on general energy efficiency measures and the following grant/ discount schemes available to you or your tenants.

home energy check
0800 512 012 / Complete our “Home Energy Check” questionnaire to receive a written report with personalised tips for saving energy and money. Complete online

discounted BOILERs and heating controls

0800 512 012 / Boilers bought through the Magic Boiler Scheme start at the discounted price of £529.10inc VAT (not including installation) with £30 cash-back on top of discount. Choose from Worcester, Baxi-Potterton, Alpha, Ideal, Vokera, Ariston, and Glow-worm boiler models using natural gas, or oil. With all boilers being ‘A’ rated condensing type (to comply with new building regulations) they’re all over 90% efficient. Danfoss heating controls also available through the scheme at a discount.
Solid wall insulation
0800 512 012 / For properties without cavity walls you can insulate internally using a product called Sempatap. A foam wall covering, 1cm thick supplied in rolls and put up like wallpaper. Call us about the Magic Wall Scheme for a 20% discount!
RadiAtor panels
0800 512 012 / Reflective panels are easily fitted behind your radiators to reflect more heat into the room. Cost less than £5 per radiator to fit and could reduce your heating bills by 10%
Warm Front
0800 316 6011 / Government grants for those on qualifying benefits. If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord then you can apply for a grant of up to £2700 to pay for insulation or heating repairs. (£4000 for oil central heating)
warm front £300 rebate
0800 316 6012 / Anyone over 60 can get a £300 rebate on installation or repair of a heating system if they own their own home or privately rent. An approved installer must be used.
clear fuel debt
0800 512 012 / There are trust funds that can help you with your energy debts but may also with other one off household bills and costs. The payments are grants, not loans, and do not have to be repaid! Administered by your energy supplier, call us for more information.
Energy Savings Trust Guides
0800 512 012 / A range of ‘Best Practice Technical Guides’ are available from the EEAC. These give in-depth, technical details about a range insulation and energy saving solutions for domestic properties.
TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE LANDLORDS
The Government has introduced some tax incentives to encourage private landlords to install energy efficiency measures in their properties, these are the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (aimed at small landlords) and the Enhanced Capital Allowance (aimed at businesses and large private landlords).
Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA)
This allowance can be claimed by all private landlords that pay income tax, (usually individual and smaller landlords). The LESA means that you can claim a deduction for income tax purposes (up to a maximum of £1,500) against the rental profit when cavity wall, solid wall or loft insulation, draught proofing or insulation for hot water systems are installed in any property you let. This is in addition to the deduction that the Inland Revenue allows for wear and tear of furniture, fixtures and fittings (currently 10%).
Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA)
This allowance can be claimed by landlords that pay corporation tax, (larger landlords and businesses). In practice this provides the opportunity to claim 100% of the tax back on any energy saving technology that is bought.
Further information from:
HM Revenue and Customs: , look at the Tax return guide – page 7 and the Property income manual links
Some other ideas
Everybody’s talking about climate change
0800 512 012 / Ever wondered about climate change and what you could do personally to help us avoid the predicted climate chaos? Everybody’s Talking is a local public awareness campaign, supported by DEFRA.
For practical tips and to make a pledge visit our website

ENERGY

WATCH

0845 906 0708
(After oct ’08, it will be consumer direct 0845 040506) / Energywatch ( offer impartial advice on switching energy supplier. They can also help if you have a complaint to make about your supplier. Also for free gas services or help with reading/moving meters ask energywatch for the Priority Service Register. To be eligible you must be of pensionable age, have a disability, long-term ill health or be blind/visually-impaired.

Energy Efficiency Measures

Grants are available for loft and cavity wall insulation. This insulation may be free if your tenants are on qualifying benefits or over 70.

Freephone 0800 512012

Loft Insulation - can save up to £110 on annual heating bills! (~£30 for top-up only)

The recommended thickness for loft insulation is 270mm (10.5”). Existing insulation should be topped up to this amount. A layer will need to be laid over the joists in the loft space.

Works will usually be carried out using glass or mineral fibre insulation products but information on more environmentally friendly loft products such as sheep’s wool, and a list of installers is available from0800 512 012.

All loft insulation materials are treated with fire-retardant

Loft insulation can be a D.I.Y. job too!
It may work out cheaper for you to do your own loft insulation especially if you have some up there already. Unfortunately you cannot get a grant for DIY work but look out for half price offers in local DIY stores

Cavity Wall Insulation – can save approximately £90 on annual heating bills!

Most houses built after 1930 will have cavity walls. New build houses will already be insulated. Please call 0800 512 012 for advice on wall types including insulating solid walls.

The most common material used is rock or mineral wool. The material is broken down and blown into the cavity using a specialist machine. Foam or polystyrene beads can also be used, in unusually sized cavities.

All cavity insulation materials are resistant to water penetration and won’t transmit water across the cavity or absorb it from below the damp course.

Work is guaranteed for 25 years by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (call 01525 853300 or visit for more information)

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Energy Efficiency in Rented Properties

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

The EU Performance of Buildings Directive has been translated into national law with its main aim being to improve the energy performance of buildings by requiring the energy performance to be advertised on the sale or rental of any domestic property.

This has been achieved by the introduction of an energy performance certificate (EPC). Each building requires an EPC certificate that must be made available when it is constructed, rented out or sold.

Any private rental property rented out on or after 1st October 2008 will require an EPC. These certificates will be valid for 10 years.

The certificate makes suggestions of cost effective actions to improve the energy performance of a property but more importantly will allow prospective tenants to compare buildings on energy performance.

DON’T FORGET

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What is involved:

The certificate will give each building a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) rating, which will equate to an energy rating from A-G, similar to those seen on white goods – see below. Suggestions of energy saving improvements are included which will improve the A-G rating if installed.

The current market price for producing the certificate is estimated at between £100- £150 and is the property owners’ responsibility. Each certificate will last for ten years.

Property owners can voluntarily get a new certificate after installation of energy efficiency measures - particularly if these improve the energy rating. Home Information Packs (HIPS), which include the EPC became mandatory in 2007 for anyone marketing a home for sale in England and Wales. From 1st October 2008 all rented properties will need an EPC when they are rented out.

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