Dec

Landlords collared for fuel poverty in PRS and urged to install smart meters

admin

Landlords have been blamed for saddling tenants with higher energy bills which leaves them struggling to pay their rent.

Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action says private renters often face higher energy costs as they tend to live in the least efficient homes. “It’s therefore no wonder that 65% say they worry they may struggle to pay their energy bills,” says director of policy and advocacy, Peter Smith.

“Landlords have a big role to play in helping to make the impact of higher prices more affordable and therefore increasing the chances their tenants can make the rent.”

Smart Energy GB research found that almost two-thirds of UK renters are worried about paying their energy bills this winter and 80% reckon landlords could do more to make their homes more energy efficient.

Smart meter

It says 28% don’t feel their landlord supports them enough when it comes to managing their energy use, while 67% believe that having a smart meter would help them manage their energy costs.

Some renters have been put off doing this as, not only did they think their landlord wouldn’t like it (16%), they were also concerned they might lose their deposit (14%).

Iagan MacNeil, head of policy at Smart Energy GB (pictured), adds: “It is a bill payer’s right to have a smart meter, so we hope that landlords responsible for the energy bill will consider installing a smart meter or work with their tenants to get them installed in their rental properties.”

Smart Energy GB and Propertycheckists.co.uk have come up with five tips for landlords to support their tenants: get a smart meter, check what eco features the property has already, use LED lighting, fit thermostats on radiators and if renovating or upgrading a property, fit insulation.

View Full Article: Landlords collared for fuel poverty in PRS and urged to install smart meters