Private landlords targeted for council green energy project

Tenants in up to 35,000 properties will benefit from lower fuel bills under the moves to offer landlords from across the East Riding, Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire free impartial advice on making money by producing clean power.

New jobs are also on the cards because the campaign will be targeted at putting cash into the pockets of local firms who install the energy-saving equipment. With some 35,000 properties under landlord control in the four areas, the spin off benefits could be huge for tenants, traders, and the property owners, officials say.

Council leaders are hoping to cash in on the success of the feed-in tariff scheme – which pays those whose renewable energy systems contribute to the national grid a guaranteed annual income for 25 years.

Since it was introduced in April, there has been a boom in renewable energy installation in the UK. But although other authorities have turned to landlords to sell the benefits, Humber Housing Partnership, which includes the four local authorities, has also got on board a national player in the market with the Energy Saving Trust.

Housing bosses say the message to landlords will be that installing renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, is not only good for the environment, but an investment.

Measures such as fitting loft, floor and cavity wall insulation have always been ideal and simple for landlords. Now they are being urged to be more ambitious and look to generate additional funds through feed-in tariffs.

East Riding councillor Jane Evison, who chairs the Humber Housing Partnership, said a typical three-bedroom property with a two kilowatt solar panel installation could earn around 800 per annum, as well as make an 120 per annum saving on fuel bills.

Payments are made to the property's owner for 25 years, paying off the initial installation costs and providing a guaranteed income for the future.

At an event on January 27 interested landlords will be given information on the Government's incentives, what renewable technologies are on the market and easy ways to make properties more energy efficient.

The half-day event, at the Rope Walk in Barton-upon-Humber, is free and will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

"We want as many landlords as possible in the Humber to benefit from the Government's incentives, " added Coun Evison.

"This event will provide an opportunity for local landlords to put questions to experts and find out what they need to consider before installing renewable energy technologies."

Specialist housing officer for East Riding Council, Matt Lewer, said: "We at East Riding have 11,000 council houses ourselves so we are always looking at ways of making our own stock more environmentally friendly but the private rented sector is a big part of the market.

"We aim to get about 40 landlords there but that's only a small proportion of the number out there. We can't offer significant amounts of financial help but we can offer expertise from the various organisations involved so landlords can make an informed decision for themselves and their tenants.

"Tenants benefit because they will get lower energy bills. It is a win-win situation. The landlords get the tariff for producing the energy but it also tackles elements of fuel poverty and tenants will have lower energy bills and be able to keep their homes warmer.

"We will be trying to suggest landlords work with local installers wherever possible."

For places, landlords should contact Mr Lewer on 01482 396115 or [email protected].