Private Tenants Pay Highest Energy Bills

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has issued statistics that do not make enjoyable reading for private tenants in England.

According to their figures, private tenants have to pay greater energy bills than homeowners. In the energy expenditure survey, it was revealed that tenants pay £31 more a year than homeowners. This figure rises to £90 more than tenants residing in social housing.

Private Tenants Pay Highest Energy Bills

Insulation

Homeowners are more likely to insulate and regulate heating equipment than private landlords, say RICS. The organisation suggests this is due to a lack of financial incentive for landlords in order for them to make improvements to their property.

Homes with an electric heater installed can be anywhere between £196-£898 a year more than those with gas central heating. This is the highest contributing factor to energy spending.

More to be done

Head of RICS’ UK Policy, Jeremy Blackburn, is strongly in favour of improving heating standards for private tenants. Blackburn says: “Those renting privately should expect the same standards in insulation and heating as home owners and those in social housing. More needs to be done to ensure private rental property is fit for purpose and energy efficient.

“It is important that the Green Deal effectively addresses this at a time when tenants across the country are struggling with high fuel bills and increasing rents.

“RICS welcomes the Green Deal as a new way of financing energy efficiency improvements, but it is vital that tenants understand exactly what measures are being taken, why, and what the impact any measures will have on their energy bills.

“A mandatory Home Condition Report before the installation of all Green Deal measures would be a low-cost way of providing the consumer with a clear understanding of this.”[1]

[1] http://old.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Private-tenants-paying-the-highest-energy-bills