Council awarded funding to help landlords improve their properties' energy ratings

Hastings Borough Council has been awarded £96,366 in funding from the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) via Midlands Energy Hub (MEH) to tackle the least energy efficient privately rented properties in the town. 

This funding will support engagement with landlords through advice and support and where necessary enforcement on landlords whose properties fall below the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). This will positively impact residents where compliance is achieved as their homes will be improved through energy efficiency measures, which could lead to a reduction in their energy bills.

Since April 2020, privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of EPC Band E. Homes with a rating below E must be improved if they are to continue being let, unless the landlord has a limited registered exemption. Landlords can be fined up to £5,000 per property if they fail to meet their obligations.

Officers from Hastings Borough Council will be contacting landlords and agents about their legal obligation to comply with MEES. While also offering support and signposting to organisations that can provide the necessary advice on what landlords can do to make their homes more energy efficient and move them up to at least an E rating - if they currently have an EPC rating of 'F' or 'G'.

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Housing at Hastings Borough Council, said,

"Over the last year, the MEES team have worked with landlords of properties with the lowest EPC ratings, in the areas with the highest instances of fuel poverty. This has resulted in heating and insulation improvements in many homes throughout the town.

"Despite this, there are still many privately rented properties in the town failing to meet the required standards. This funding will help us to work with more property owners to ensure their properties meet the national minimum energy efficiency standard."

Business and Energy Minister, Lord Callanan, said,

"This funding will help councils to support landlords with these important energy efficiency changes, but also enforce these standards, helping tackle fuel poverty and ensuring everyone can live in a warm home with fair energy bills.

"Heating our homes and buildings makes up almost a third of all carbon emissions, meaning raising the energy efficiency of our properties is something we all have to contribute to help us build back greener and reach our world leading climate ambitions."

For further information on MEES please visit our website https://www.hastings.gov.uk/housing/landlord/mees/