Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to promote the take-up of the Green Homes Grant to improve the energy efficiency of tenants’ homes with energy ratings above E.
The Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme is open to applications from landlords to install energy efficiency and clean heat measures in their rented properties. To be eligible for the scheme, private rented properties in scope of the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating E or above, or hold a valid exemption. As of 07 December, 11.7% of all applications received for the Voucher scheme have been from landlords.
The £500 million Local Authority Delivery (LAD) element of the scheme will be delivered via Local Authorities and Local Energy Hubs, who have a comprehensive understanding of their local communities and as part of delivery of the scheme are undertaking extensive property assessments and householder engagement work. Together, they will identify eligible low energy efficiency properties (rated EPC D or below) and low-income households including those living in the worst quality off-gas grid homes. Under LAD, Local Authorities may upgrade their own housing stock as landlords or leaseholders and that of Social Housing providers they are partnering with, and also fund improvements to privately owned rental properties.
Furthermore, the Department is currently consulting on raising the minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC band C. The consultation can be accessed on GOV.UK and will remain open until 30 December 2020.