Agenda item

This report provides a summary of the outcomes of the pilot project and looks ahead to future changes in government standards as well as linking this work with opportunities coming forward as part of the Housing Energy Efficiency Programme including retrofit works.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the report and the possible implications of future Government proposals for the Council;

                     ii.         Supported the continuation of this project subject to the necessary external funding being available; and

                    iii.        Noted the future implications for carbon reduction and housing energy efficiency strategy development.

Reason:     This work seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, reduce fuel poverty and reduce the carbon emissions from our housing sector, supporting the city’s carbon neutral 2030 aspirations.

The Executive Member considered a report that provided an update on progress of the Housing Energy Efficiency Programme, following on from the Executive Member Decision Session of 18 March 2021.

The Housing Standards and Adaptations Manager and the Head of Housing Delivery and Asset Management were in attendance to provide an update and answer any questions.

The Housing Standards and Adaptations Manager explained the background to the Energy Efficiency Regulations, the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and the project, including the outcomes and future opportunities. 

Key points arising from the presentation of the report included:

·        Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) was shown on an A to G rating scale and was accompanied by a recommendation report that showed how to improve the dwellings energy efficiency.

·        Since April 2020 it had been unlawful to rent out any residential property whose Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) did not meet an E as a minimum, unless they had a valid exemption in place.

·        12 regional partner authorities had been assisted with implementing processes and systems to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the MEES Regulation.

·        A list of 315 properties with non-valid EPCs was compiled and from this initial list, further investigation showed that 123 had subsequently been found to have improved their EPC rating, 49 had left the private rented sector or had been let under a tenancy type not covered by the MEES Regulation, 9 properties had been referred for grant assistance and 5 were currently empty.

·        3 letting agents had amended/repaired websites to include EPC data.

·        Findings of the pilot project had been fed back to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

·        BEIS were considering raising the minimum standards so that from April 2025 it would be unlawful to let a residential premises that did not reach a minimum energy efficiency standard of C on a new tenancy and from April 2028 to make it unlawful to let any residential property whose EPC did not meet a C.

·        Additional external funding was being sourced to continue the project and to share experience and best practice with other regional councils.

The Executive Member noted that the pilot project had already brought about substantial improvements and knowledge across the private rented sector and she welcomed the energy performance improvements which would support the council’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve the health and financial circumstances of residents.

Officers were thanked for the work they had achieved so far and for the support they had offered to landlords to meet the increase in legal standards and the Executive Member:

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the report and the possible implications of future Government proposals for the Council;

                     ii.         Supported the continuation of this project subject to the necessary external funding being available; and

                    iii.        Noted the future implications for carbon reduction and housing energy efficiency strategy development.

Reason:     This work seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, reduce fuel poverty and reduce the carbon emissions from our housing sector, supporting the city’s carbon neutral 2030 aspirations.