Cornwall awarded funding to ensure landlords improve energy efficiency

More support is available for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of privately rented properties in Cornwall, as the Council is confirmed as one of 59 local authorities to receive funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The £91,237 fund will allow Cornwall Council to support landlords in making energy efficiency changes, but also enforce standards which state that privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of EPC Band E.

Around 20% of households in Cornwall live in private rented accommodation, and while the majority of homes will meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Regulations, the Council estimates that there are many that do not.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, Olly Monk, said: ‘The Council’s successful bid is good news for Cornwall’s tenants and private sector landlords. The funding will support landlords in making sure that their properties achieve an Energy Performance Certificate of E rating or above. 

‘This is good news for their tenants as we can, working in partnership with established award-winning social enterprise Community Energy Plus (CEP), ensure that privately rented properties meet MEES – the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard.  

‘The CEP landlord liaison service will be expanded to assist more landlords by offering free advice on improvements, and support work to overcome the barriers to compliance. This project will support our work to reduce fuel poverty, raise standards and meet the ambitions set out in our climate change action plan.’

The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Martyn Alvey, added: ‘Ensuring homes in Cornwall are as energy efficient as possible is key to helping our residents save money on rising energy bills as well as progressing our journey towards reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.’

In related news, new funding from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will support councils in engaging with difficult to reach landlords to tackle poor energy performance in rental properties.

Photo supplied by Cornwall Council