Proposed adjustments to current laws aimed at enhancing energy efficiency.
In a recent report published by London Councils, recommendations have been made to improve energy efficiency and affordability in leasehold properties across the city. The report, which offers advice for leaseholders, particularly those in flats, emphasises the importance of addressing the issue, as more than a third of all homes in London are owned by leaseholders, including 62% of flats.
The report highlights that 379,000 households in London are living in fuel poverty due to the number of cold and poorly insulated homes in the capital. This situation not only damages people's health but also eats into their incomes. To tackle this issue, London Councils proposes several key recommendations.
Firstly, there is a push to raise the minimum energy efficiency standards in rented housing, including social housing, aiming for EPC Band C by 2030. This includes ensuring leaseholder properties meet these standards to improve affordability by lowering energy bills.
Secondly, the Warm Homes Local Grant, coordinated by the Mayor of London and local boroughs, offers free home improvements like insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels for low-income privately owned homes, which would include leaseholders. This initiative aims to help reduce energy costs and improve comfort.
Thirdly, the report suggests targeting grants towards homes with low EPC ratings (D to G) and residents who are low income or on means-tested benefits, ensuring support reaches those most in need in leaseholder scenarios.
Furthermore, the report urges the government to prioritise legal timelines when allocating councils funding to complete energy-saving schemes such as installing heat pumps. The report also recommends establishing a clearer framework for freeholder and leaseholder collaboration to help recover costs and minimise financial pressures.
The report also sheds light on the scale of the issue, stating that more than one million London homes have inadequate loft insulation, and almost two and a half million homes could benefit from wall insulation.
In related news, 17,000 build-to-rent homes have been delivered, but the future supply is uncertain. The report advises adjusting funding schemes to make work on leasehold homes more successful, as current schemes aren't giving councils enough time to complete the leasehold consultation process.
London's domestic buildings are responsible for 31% of its carbon emissions. Improvements to these buildings could significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions across the capital.
London Councils executive member for climate, transport and environment, Cllr Keiran Williams, stated, "Making it easier for leaseholders to carry out improvements to their homes is an important issue. This is damaging people's health and eating into people's incomes."
By implementing these recommendations, London aims to create more energy-efficient and affordable living environments for its leaseholders, contributing to a greener and more sustainable city.
- To further improve the energy efficiency and affordability in leasehold properties, London Councils suggest establishing a clearer framework for collaboration between freeholders and leaseholders, operating within the financial realm to help recover costs and alleviate financial pressures.
- Recognizing the significant role of environmental-science in fostering a greener city, the report urges the government to prioritize funding timelines when allocating resources for energy-saving schemes in the industry, such as installing heat pumps, with a aim to reduce carbon emissions across London.
- In the drive towards a sustainable city, London Councils advocates for the enhancement of leaseholder properties by raising minimum energy efficiency standards in rented housing, including social housing, as well as embracing supportive measures like the Warm Homes Local Grant, which offers free home improvements for low-income households, promoting both energy efficiency and improved living conditions.
