Energy Bill 2010 / 2011 and The Green Deal

[JohnB]

The new Energy Bill has just been released, including the Green Deal where houses get insulated at no up front cost to the owner, who pays for it with higher energy bills. There will be extra support for difficult houses, like those with solid walls, but there isn't anything mentioned in the summary about houses with historic interest, or listed buildings.

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/energy_bill/energy_bill.aspx

Here's the summary of the Green Deal
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1010-green-deal-summary-proposals.pdf

It could make life interesting for period property owners!

 

[robgil]

Or tenants.

The presence of a Green Deal must be
properly disclosed to subsequent billpayers
(e.g. new owners or tenants)
alongside energy performance information

Surely if the owner wants to insulate their own building they shouldn't expect their tenants to foot the bill?

 

[Pford75]

Don't all landlords recover the capital cost of improvements through increased rent? Don't see why they shouldn't recover this cost.

 

[robgil]

I suppose it all depends on whether or not that increased rent makes their property rentable, no body likes to pay over the odds and i dont think simply insulating your property would justify a rent increase. I would have thought they would recoup the costs when they eventually sell their now improved property.
If they got it the property decorated would they put this cost onto the tenant?
''Your rent is x amount and by the way you also have to foot the bill to modernise the building as well''.

 

[Pford75]

If the property becomes 'expensive' then noone will rent it. If people rent it, then by definition it's not too expensive. Don't see why the government needs to get involved. :x

 

[robgil]

If people rent it could it not be that they have no choice?

 

[Flyfisher]

The tenant pays the heating bills so it would be to their benefit to pay for insulation.

On the other hand, as energy costs become a major factor in housing (if they're not already), a poorly insulated house may become harder to rent out, encouraging landlords to make the investment.

My instinct is to let the market sort out such things.

 

[JohnB]

Rented houses are only part of it. How do owners of loved and cared for period properties feel about the idea?

 

[robgil]

I dont think they are making it compulsory are they? I will try my best to make my house as efficient as possible but i dont expect it to perform like a modern house.

 

[JohnB]

There's provision for dealing with old houses. I wonder if the people doing it will be aware of breathability, lime, and history, or if they'll cover them with materials that cause damp and other problems. Most people aren't as enlightened about the needs of old houses as people here.

 

[Bayliss]

There's provision for dealing with old houses. I wonder if the people doing it will be aware of breathability, lime, and history, or if they'll cover them with materials that cause damp and other problems. Most people aren't as enlightened about the needs of old houses as people here.

Hopefully this will be covered by consultation with accredited experts in the field of historic buildings.