Published: Wednesday, 3rd November 2021
The Borough Council’s Housing Standards team has been successful in securing funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy via the Midlands Energy Hub.
The project is focused on the enforcement of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Regulations in the private rented sector.
The funding will allow the Housing Standards team to apply dedicated resources to the enforcement of these regulations, and provide advice and guidance on the lessons learned to the Government and other local authorities and improving living conditions for many tenants.
The project aims to ensure that landlords in west Norfolk who let private rented properties are meeting their obligations under the law and will help ensure that tenants living in sub-standard properties, let in breach of the regulations, have the ability to report their landlord to the Borough Council.
Given the current energy cost crisis, it is more important than ever that landlords are doing what is legally required of them to meet their obligations and this will go some way to helping tenants minimise their home heating bills.
Cllr Sam Sandell, Portfolio Holder for People and Communities said: “I am delighted that this funding has been secured as it will enable us to support the private rented sector to provide homes that are more energy efficient.
“Through the project, we can ensure that the minimum standards are being met around energy efficiency across private rented homes, which is vital as we look to reduce carbon emissions across the district.
“And, this important project can also help to reduce heating bills and ultimately improve living conditions for private rented tenants.”
Michael Gallagher, Head of Midlands Energy Hub: “Midlands Energy Hub are delighted to be supporting the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk with the PRS Enforcement Competition, funded by BEIS. This competition looks to assist 59 local authorities across England and Wales with implementing and enforcing the requirements of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations.
“Through improving the quality of housing stock, the whole project looks to target over 95,000 of the worst-performing private rented homes with the ultimate aim of tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions produced by the domestic housing sector.”
Further information can be found on the Council’s website at west-norfolk.gov.uk/mees