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Reminder to Agents – New Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Rules Coming Up

Reminder to Agents – New Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Rules Coming Up

A prominent agency lettings chief is alerting the industry that new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules are changing from October 1.

Since October 2015 there’s been a legal requirement for a smoke alarm to be fitted on every floor of a property where a room is used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

There must also be a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where a solid fuel such as wood, coal or biomass is being burned – and that includes open fires, although not gas, oil or LPG.

Landlords and agents are also expected to ensure that the alarms work at the start of each new tenancy.

Now the regime is getting tougher with further changes:

– carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in both private and social rented homes;

– carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all tenures through building regulations;

– private and social landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty.

These changes extend the existing provisions from devices like wood-burning stoves and open fires to include gas heaters, gas fires and gas boilers, but excludes gas ovens and hobs.

Propertymark has already advised letting agents that they should be aware that the changes will introduce an obligation on private landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of a tenancy.

The current regulations only oblige landlords to check that alarms are in working order on the first day of a new tenancy. Ahead of implementation, agents and their landlords should start now to plan for the changes and the impact on management practices going forward.

The group lettings technical director at Connells – Andrew Culverwell – issues the reminder to the industry in this exclusive interview with Angels Media’s Lee Dahill, which you can see in full below.

Blog Post from Letting Agent Today

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The Party’s Over for Airbnb

The Party’s Over for Airbnb

Airbnb says that its so-called ‘party ban’ – introduced in 2020 at the height of the pandemic – is being made permanent.

The platform claims that there’s been a 63 per cent drop in reports of parties in Airbnb host homes the UK since the temporary ban.

Airbnb says it believes the ban has worked to reduce violence, rules violations and health concerns, with worldwide reports of parties at listed properties having dropped 44 per cent and over 6,600 guests suspended last year for staging parties in contravention of rules.

“The ban has been well received by our host community and we’ve received positive feedback from community leaders and elected officials. As we build on this momentum, we believe the time is right to codify this policy” says a statement from Airbnb.

However, at the same time as making the ban permanent Airbnb has scrapped its maximum number of occupants, which was previously 16.

This is apparently “based on feedback from a number of hosts who have listings that can house above 16 people comfortably.”

“Today’s announcement makes clear that there is no place for disruptive parties on Airbnb” says Amanda Cupples, general manager for northern Europe at Airbnb

She continues: “Since being introduced, the ban has led to a reduction in reported incidents and helped minimise the impact of noise and nuisance issues on communities. In the rare event of an issue, our Neighbourhood Support Line allows anyone with concerns in the community to contact someone at Airbnb directly so we can fully investigate.”

Meanwhile the Westminster government is launching a review into short lets in England.

Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston says: “We’ve seen huge growth in the range of holiday accommodation available over the last few years. We want to reap the benefits of the boom in short-term holiday lets while protecting community interests and making sure England has high-quality tourist accommodation.”

And housing minister Stuart Andrew adds: “Holiday let sites like Airbnb have helped boost tourism across the country, but we need to make sure this doesn’t drive residents out of their communities.

“We are already taking action to tackle the issue of second and empty homes in some areas by empowering councils to charge up to double the rate of council tax.

“This review will give us a better understanding of how short term lets are affecting housing supply locally to make sure the tourism sector works for both residents and visitors alike.”

The government says Airbnb listing data shows a 33 per cent increase in UK listings between 2017 and 2018 and the rise in the use of online platforms for short-term letting has brought many benefits – from an increase in the variety and availability of options to allowing people to make money from renting out spare rooms and properties.

But the government says it understands there can be an impact on housing supply and price in these areas and there are fears caused by evidence of a rise in anti-social behaviour including noise, waste and drunken behaviour in local communities. Lower protections for guests caused by negligence of health and safety regulations are also amidst concerns.

The review will also consider the operation of the provisions in London under the Deregulation Act 2015 to allow for measures to be taken against anti-social behaviour, whilst allowing Londoners to let out their homes.

The Westminster government’s review brings England in line with the devolved administrations.

The Scottish government set out legislation requiring all local authorities in the country to establish a licensing scheme by October 2022. In Northern Ireland tourist accommodation cannot be provided without a valid certificate issued by the national tourist board. And Wales has stated its ambition to establish a statutory registration or licensing scheme.

Merilee Karr – who chairs the Short Term Accommodation Association – says: “Short term and holiday rentals play an increasingly important role in the English tourism economy by contributing significant numbers of jobs in local communities and generating valuable sources of income for local homeowners and businesses.

“Any new regulatory solution should recognise this contribution and seek to support the industry as an important part of the wider UK tourism sector.”

Blog Post from Letting Agent Today

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Ban On Charging Ground Rent On Leases Comes Into Force

Ban On Charging Ground Rent On Leases Comes Into Force

The government’s ban on charging ground rent on new leases in England and Wales comes into force today.

Starting June 30, anyone buying a home on a new long lease will now be freed from these annual costs.

Landlords are banned from charging ground rent to leaseholders, under a new law that the government hopes will lead to fairer, more transparent homeownership for thousands of homebuyers, helping to level up opportunities for more people.

In preparation, many landlords had already reduced ground rent to zero for homebuyers starting a new lease with them.

Leasehold minister Lord Stephen Greenhalgh said: “This is an important milestone in our work to fix the leasehold system and to level up home ownership.

“Abolishing these unreasonable costs will make the dream of home ownership a more affordable reality for the next generation of home buyers.”

Future measures, announced last year, include a new right for leaseholders to extend their leases to 990 years at zero ground rent and an online calculator to help leaseholders find out how much it would cost to buy their freehold or extend their lease.

Commenting on the changes, CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) head of policy, Jonathan Walker, said: “The ban on ground rents is positive news for anyone considering buying a leasehold property and important progress towards ensuring safety and security for all householders.

“Problems still remain however, and it is disappointing that there is no retrospective inclusion of current leasehold tenants within the Act. They will still be obliged to pay their existing rents, even in cases where they are seeing those rents escalate – some doubling every ten years. Those attempting to sell on properties will find ground rents prove unattractive to buyers who now have the option of purchasing a rent-free leasehold property, and many will experience difficulties when looking to remortgage, or extend or vary their existing leasehold.

“Such fundamental changes to the leasehold market must be implemented alongside awareness raising and education amongst both consumers and professionals so that both understand the implications for property transactions.

“It is vital that we see a continued programme of reform that benefits those who are new to the leasehold market whilst not disadvantaging or restricting those currently within the system. We hope to see further measures to address residential leasehold houses and cap ground rent for all existing leasehold properties.”

Blog Post from Property Industry Eye

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Cost-Of-Living Crisis Still Taking Centre Stage as UK Borrowing Drops

Cost-Of-Living Crisis Still Taking Centre Stage as UK Borrowing Drops

Investors are getting set for another twist on the rollercoaster with Monday’s gains set to be largely erased after Snap interrupted the brief rally with a very downbeat snapshot.

The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 have opened 0.9% lower while in Japan the Nikkei slid by 1% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong dropped by 2%.

The owner of Snapchat notched up fresh worries after the bell on Wall Street by lowering its revenue and profits forecasts for June and blaming the rapidly weakening economic environment.

That sent the stock into a tailspin, falling more than 30% in after-hours trading, pulling down other battered tech stocks with it, with Meta falling 7% and Pinterest by 11%.

Worries are mounting that advertising will be a big casualty as companies try and deal with squeezed budgets as input costs rise dramatically and the concern is that campaigns and budgets will be scaled back.

With the era of cheap money hurtling to an end the focus will be on a speech from Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve later, with investors keen to glean any new titbit of information about just how far and fast the US central bank will go in raising rates and offloading its mass bond holdings.

In the UK, the cost-of-living crisis is still taking centre stage with clamour ratcheting up for support for the poorest households, as the Bank of England prepares borrowers to expect more interest rate rises as it attempts to keep a lid on rampant inflation.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, has been given more wriggle room to take action with public borrowing coming in lower than expected at £18.6 billion in April.

Tax receipts piled up higher than forecast partly due to the increase in National Insurance contributions during the month, which added to the household budget squeeze.

However, the Treasury will be concerned that this may be a short term gain and there could be long term pain coming as the economy contracts, so ministers are unlikely to start splashing the cash, instead the purse strings are likely to loosen for small targeted support schemes.

The pound has pushed up higher against the dollar, up to $1.259, with sterling continuing to recover from the multi-year low it hit a fortnight ago as expectation mounts about a steeper path of interest rates.

As concerns mount over the fragility of the economies around the world, the oil price has slipped back, pulled down by ongoing worries about how detrimental China’s zero-covid policy will continue to be in terms of demand.

But supplies are tight and that’s still keeping the price of a barrel of Brent crude elevated at around $112.

A Russian oil embargo is still being pushed forward by EU nations and the head of Saudi Aramco has cautioned that a major supply crunch could be looming.

The wariness among energy firms about investing in fossil fuels as pressure mounts for the transition to greener energy appears to be acting as a cap on money flowing into production, and will be a lingering inflationary pressure which consumers, companies and policymakers will keep having to grapple with.

Blog Post from Property Notify

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BTL landlords will benefit from £2bn home insulation scheme

BTL Landlords Home Insulation Scheme Homesearch Properties

The new £2bn grant scheme in England for projects such as insulation, unveiled yesterday by the chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a wider £3bn plan to cut emissions, initially did not appear to include BTL landlords and homes in the private rented sector.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will receive vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving home improvements, with the poorest getting up to £10,000, but Labour cast doubt on whether BTL landlords would qualify for the Green Homes Grant.

Labour yesterday called for a “broader and bigger” plan to cut carbon emissions and suggested that should include homes in the PRS.

Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband commented: “It appears there is almost nothing for the people who rent the 8.5 million homes in the social rented sector and private rented sector, which has the worst energy efficiency standards. That means one-third of people are left out.”

But ARLA Propertymark has welcomed the scheme, confirming that landlords will be able to apply for a grant.

From September, homeowners and landlords can apply for vouchers to help to fund energy-saving home improvements, an amount which the chancellor estimates will cover up to two-thirds of costs per household.

David Cox, chief executive, ARLA Propertymark, commented: “Since the withdrawal of LESA [Landlords Energy Saving Allowance], we’ve been calling for a simple grant scheme to help private homeowners and landlords make their properties more energy efficient.

“The announcement is a big step forward to ensure that they can take the necessary steps to do this and ultimately create a greener property sector in the UK.”

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The way a residential building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions, and can now seriously impact on the cost of running the property and even its value.

Buy-to-let landlords could reap significant competitive advantages by shifting to a ‘green’ model of potentially adding value to a home, and so many will welcome this new scheme.

Mary-Anne Bowring, creator of automated letting platform, PlanetRent, pointed out that the UK’s housing stock is some of the oldest in Europe.

She said: “This is not just bad for the environment but bad for our health too, with too many properties suffering from problems with damp and cold.

“It is important the government’s voucher scheme covers renters, especially as homes in the private rented sector tend to be older.”

See original post on Landlord Today

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Supply Exceeding Normal Levels Since Stamp Duty Cut

Stamp Duty Cut Homesearch Properties

New listings are on the rise and stock is quickly shifting since the first month of the Stamp Duty holiday but there are already fears about how long it will last.

Analysis by property website Home.co.uk found supply of new sales instructions is “exceeding normal levels” and properties are being quickly snapped up close to asking price, but separate research by RICS warns this may not last into next year.

Home.co.uk’s research based on agency listings found London agents were the busiest with the total of new inventory in July up 45% annually

The east and south-east of England regions were not far behind with new instructions up 29% and 30% respectively.

Despite an overall uplift in monthly supply of 22%, the UK total of stock for sale remains 9.1% lower than a year ago.

Average asking prices are up 3.3% annually to £319,039, according to Home.co.uk, which said 13% fewer properties on the market were reduced in price last month compared with July 2019, suggesting vendors remain both confident and patient.

This confidence was partially reflected in the latest RICS Residential Market Survey for July.

Increasing numbers of surveyors are now reporting more enquiries, instructions and sales since the Stamp Duty threshold was raised at the start of July.

However, while 26% more predicted an increase rather than drop in sales over the next three months, 10% thought activity would decline instead of rise on a longer-term outlook of 12 months.

Respondents expressed concerns about the prospects for the UK economy and the impact this will have on employment as the furlough scheme expires in October and the Stamp Duty holiday ends next year.

The research was also conducted before the UK officially entered recession.

Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist for RICS, said: “The strong impetus provided to the housing market is evident both in the results of the RICS survey and many of the anecdotal comments from respondents.

“However, it is interesting that there remains rather more caution about the medium-term outlook with the macro environment, job losses and the ending or tapering of government support measures for the sector expected to take their toll.

“Significantly, some contributors are now even referencing the possibility of a boom followed by a bust.”

See original post on Property Industry Eye

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How will the property market fare as the economy enters recession?

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“The property market has proved resilient post the market reopening in May and buyer confidence is still high.”

So, the U.K. is officially in recession. And not just any recession but ‘the deepest recession since records began’.

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP), fell in the second quarter of 2020 by 20.4% compared with the previous three months, and that is the biggest quarterly decline since comparable records began in 1955.

It cannot be said that the news came as a shock given that the economy substantially shut down in March as a result of Covid. But the decline in GDP is worse than any other EU country or G7 country in the same period.

Commenting on the figures, Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, said:

“Sadly, this economic announcement hasn’t come as a surprise.”

“A large share of our economy is focused on services, hospitality and consumer spending, and with the UK in lockdown from mid-March usual activity levels within these areas simply couldn’t be sustained.”

“What’s promising however is that the latest figures from the ONS do indicate that the economy is showing some green shoots of recovery, and just last week the Bank of England revealed that the economic shock triggered by the coronavirus pandemic will be less than initially feared.”

“The property market has proved resilient post the market reopening in May and buyer confidence is still high.”

“As soon as estate agents were given the green light to return to work we saw the pent-up demand from when the property market was closed translate almost immediately into sales.”

“This, combined with the stamp duty holiday and many buyers wanting more space in their homes following the lockdown, is causing a spike in transactions across our network. Whilst today’s figures are bleak, even if in line with expectations, this sentiment is certainly not translating into the housing market.”

“There is no denying that stamp duty has encouraged more buyers into the market; 41% of our clients at the end of 2019 believed there should be a wholesale reduction in stamp duty across all price brackets. Meanwhile, over a quarter wanted Government to abolish stamp duty on all homes under £500,000.”

David Alexander, joint managing director of apropos, commented:

“Once the decision was made to put the country in lockdown it was inevitable that the economy would enter recession and GDP numbers would show an enormous fall.”

“The key issue now is how quickly the economy can recover. Although the quarterly figures are poor, the monthly data shows that the biggest decline occurred in April with some recovery already occurring in June. This could point to a V-shaped recovery.”

“The sales and lettings market have been remarkably buoyant with the increase in the SDLT threshold having a clear impact on buyers.”

“The private rented sector has also been remarkably resilient, and we have seen a large increase in new renters since lockdown was eased. This may be temporary but is welcome. Construction has obviously been heavily hit but again may recover more rapidly than some are predicting.”

“The next hurdle will be the levels of unemployment. If they rise suddenly then this could clearly stall the economy and have a consequent impact upon the property sector.”

“The success of the Chancellors’ measures to preserve jobs in the services sector (such as the Eat out to help out scheme) will be crucial in determining how rapid the rise in unemployment is and its consequent impact on the wider economy.”

“I remain cautiously optimistic at the moment and believe the recovery will be quicker than expected.”

See original post on Property Industry Eye

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HMO And Serviced Accommodation Furniture Packs

HMO and Serviced Apartments Homesearch Properties

Designed to Sell are pleased to offer our new HMO and Serviced Accommodation furniture packs!

These HMO and Serviced Accommodation furniture packs can save you time and money and remove the hassle and stress out of furnishing your HMOs and SAs.

We have three HMO and SA packages to suit all budgets
Essence
Impressions
Autograph

Package includes delivery and full installation and we can deliver throughout the UK.

Check them out and give us a call or drop us an email to discuss – all can be tailored to your specific requirements and budgets.
YOUR ONE-STOP FURNISHING SOLUTION

Our furniture balance style, durability and price point – boosting retention, improving rental yields and avoiding void periods.
Delivery

Our fleet of vans work tirelessly to ensure that every product is delivered to your property with efficiency and care.
Assembled

Our professional and highly-experienced installation team will have your furniture in place with minimal disruption and the utmost care.
Installed

Installation is part of our one-stop service and is included in the price. Our teams are used to installing across a wide range of properties.

http://www.designed-to-sell.co.uk

#HMO #HMOs #Servicedaccommodation #SA #SAs #propertydevelopers #sold #Furniturepacks #UK #properties

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Changes to eviction rules after Coronavirus Act passes into law

The Coronavirus Act Homesearch Properties

The UK Government passed into law the Coronavirus Act on Wednesday 25 March 2020 providing additional powers to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak including measures to suspend new evictions from private rented accommodation while the national crisis is taking place.

Under the Coronavirus Act, landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three-month period. This includes possession of tenancies in the Rent Act 1977, the Housing Act 1985, the Housing Act 1996 and the Housing Act 1988.

The Coronavirus Act

Changes To Eviction Rules Homesearch Properties

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

When using either Section 8 or Section 21 notices to quit, landlords must give at least three months’ notice before they can apply to the court for possession. This applies regardless of which ground is used for Section 8.

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

The changes apply to England and Wales only and came into force on 26 March 2020 (the day after the Coronavirus Act was passed) until 30 September 2020.

NEW AND EXISTING POSSESSION CLAIMS

Importantly, the change in law only applies to notices served on or after 26 March 2020. From 27 March 2020 the court service will suspend all ongoing housing possession action. This means that neither cases either currently in or about to go in the system can progress to the stage where someone could be evicted. This suspension of housing possessions action will initially last for 90 days, but this can be extended if needed.

PRESCRIBED FORMS

The Government has updated Form 6A Notice seeking possession of a property let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy to reflect the change in the law which came into force on 26 March 2020. The Form 6A should be used by landlords in England up to 30 September 2020.

Assured Tenancy Forms

FUTURE CHANGES

The new rules mean that granting possession is not stopped completely, rather the Government has chosen to extend notice periods. However, the UK Government has the power to alter the three-month notice period to six months or any other period.

PROPERTYMARK RESOURCES

Propertymark has developed a Fact Sheet with details of the legislative change that will be published very soon. Propertymark members have access to the legal helpline for specific enquiries about the application of the law.

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New Green Homes Grant For Insulation And Double Glazing

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What You Need To Know

Green Homes Grant vouchers worth up to £5,000 will be issued to homeowners in England to make their homes more energy efficient under a Government scheme being launched in September – here’s the latest info we have following an update issued on 4 August.

As part of the Green Homes Grant scheme, eligible homeowners will be able to use the vouchers to help pay for environmentally friendly improvements such as loft, floor and wall insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined the plans, which will see the Government put aside £2 billion for green home upgrades, as part of his economic statement in July. And the Government has now released more details about what the vouchers will cover and who’s eligible.

For more on the help you can get with the Green Homes Grant for energy efficient improvements, see our Free Insulation and Boiler Grants guide. Plus for more on the other big announcements in the Chancellor’s statement, see our Stamp duty cut and 50% off discounts when eating out MSE News stories.

How will the Green Homes Grant work?

The idea is that the Government will give homeowners in England vouchers towards the cost of energy efficient improvements, which should cover much – and in some cases all – of the cost. You’ll have to apply for a voucher once the scheme is up and running in September. You’ll then be able to spend it to improve your home.

The aim of the scheme is to help homeowners and promote energy efficiency, but also to help boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic by creating jobs.

The Green Homes Grant applies to England only – so unfortunately won’t cover homes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Updated. What will the vouchers cover?

The Government has now, in its 4 August update, confirmed the full list of improvements covered by the scheme.

As expected, it’s more complex than it originally appeared. To qualify for any financial support, you’ll need to be installing at least one of the following “primary” improvements:

  • Insulation, including solid wall, cavity wall, underfloor, loft or roof insulation.
  • Low carbon heating, such as air-source or ground-source heat pumps, or solar thermal systems, which provide renewable ways of heating your home.

If you already have these measures installed, you can use the vouchers to install “top-ups” – for example, additional loft insulation so it reaches the recommended level – but not to replace what you already have.

The Government also adds that if you’re installing low carbon heating, you’ll also need to have adequate insulation in your home, though this can be installed at the same time as the heating.

Then if, and only if, you’re installing at least one of the improvements above, you’ll also be able to use the vouchers to install the following “secondary” measures:

  • Draught-proofing
  • Double or triple glazing, or secondary glazing, but only if you currently have single glazing – it won’t cover replacement double glazing.
  • Energy efficient doors, where you’re replacing doors installed before 2002.
  • Heating controls and insulation, including appliance thermostats, hot water tank thermostats, hot water tank insulation, smart heating controls, zone controls, delayed-start thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves.

But crucially, you can only receive funding for these secondary improvements up to the amount of funding you’re receiving for the primary measures. So for example, if you’ve received £1,000 towards cavity wall and roof insulation, you can only receive a maximum of £1,000 towards any secondary measures, such as double glazing or thermostats.

How much will the vouchers be worth?

For most homeowners, the vouchers will be worth about two-thirds of the cost of the energy efficient improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 per household. For example, the Treasury says a homeowner installing cavity wall and floor insulation costing £4,000 would only pay about £1,320, with the Government contributing the remaining £2,680 through the voucher scheme.

But those on low incomes will be able to get more – in that case the Government will cover the full cost of the energy efficient improvements, so you won’t have to pay anything, and the vouchers could be worth up to £10,000 per household.

Of course, green improvements such as insulation can also help cut your energy bills, with the Government saying families could be able to save hundreds of pounds a year as a result.

Will anyone be able to get these vouchers?

The Government confirmed on 4 August that all owner-occupied homes (including long-leaseholders and shared ownership properties) will be eligible to use the general £5,000 voucher scheme – though it’s likely leaseholders and those with a share-of-freehold type lease will need to get permission from the (other) freeholder(s) before making any changes that affect the building. We’re checking with the Government how this will work and will add the information here when it’s released.

Landlords of private rented and social domestic housing can also use the scheme, along with park home owners.

It’s also confirmed new-build domestic properties and all non-domestic properties, for example commercial premises, DON’T qualify for the green home vouchers. We’re checking the definition of a new-build home for the terms of this scheme, and will update this story when we have the answer.

And while the Government has confirmed that the Simple Energy Advice service will suggest “appropriate improvements” to homeowners, it says there’s no requirement to use the measures it suggests and owners won’t need to have assessments of their homes. But it’s not yet clear exactly how the approval process for individual improvements will work – we’ve asked for more details and will update this story when we know more.

The Treasury has said it hopes the scheme will help pay for improvements in over 600,000 homes across England.

The boosted £10,000 vouchers, where households won’t need to pay anything towards improvement costs, will be for those receiving at least one income-based or disability benefit. Only owner-occupied homes or park homes will be eligible.

The qualifying benefits are income-based/contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-based/contribution-based employment and support allowance, income support, pension ‘guarantee’ credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, universal credit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, severe disablement allowance, industrial injuries disablement benefit and housing benefit.

How can I apply for a voucher?

The Government says that homeowners will be able to access advice and support from the Simple Energy Advice service (SEA) about making their homes more energy efficient from “later this month” (August).

The SEA service will then suggest home improvements for which homeowners can apply for funding, and homeowners will be offered a list of approved registered tradespeople in their area to carry out the work.

Once the work is agreed, vouchers will start to be issued from “the end of September”.

Will any firm be able to do this – or just specific installers?

The Government says households will be offered a list of accredited tradespeople in their area who are registered with the scheme to carry out the work.

To be part of the scheme, tradespeople must register for TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme accreditation.

What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

While this new grant only covers homes in England, if you live elsewhere in the UK there are other schemes that offer financial support towards making your home more energy efficient.

There’s full info in the links below, but here’s a quick rundown:

  • In Scotland, the Warmer Homes Scheme offers financial help towards installing measures such as wall and loft insulation and draught-proofing if you’re a homeowner or private tenant who’s lived in your home for more than 12 months. You’ll need to fit certain criteria and be receiving certain benefits – check your eligibility via the link above. In most cases all costs will be met by the Scottish Government, though for more expensive improvements you may need to contribute – this can be paid for using an interest-free loan.Under the Home Energy Loan Scheme, owner-occupiers and private sector landlords can get interest-free loans to make energy efficiency improvements such as installing insulation, glazing and heating systems.You can also check area-based schemes run by local authorities in Scotland to see if you can get support with energy efficiency measures where you live.
  • In Wales, the Nest Scheme offers free advice on improving home energy efficiency. It also provides free energy efficiency improvements such as insulation and new boilers for those who own or privately rent their homes and either receive a means-tested benefit or have a low income and a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition.
  • In Northern Ireland, you could get a grant of up to £1,000 towards replacing an inefficient boiler that’s more than 15 years old through the Boiler Replacement Scheme, if your household income is less than £40,000.

If you own your home or rent it from a private landlord and have a total income of less than £20,000, you may be able to get grants of up to £7,500 to make improvements such as insulation, heating and window glazing through the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

It’s worth noting though that both these schemes are currently only considering urgent cases due to the coronavirus situation.

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