Industry News


Social housing plan agreed for athletes’ village


More than 200 homes in a complex built in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games of 2022 will in future be used for social housing. Te flats were originally started as part of the


New energy efficiency targets announced by Labour


P


rivate landlords have until 2030 to get their rented properties to an EPC ‘C’ rating – or they face being barred from letting them out. EdMiliband, Energy Security and Net Zero


Secretary, confirmed the plans shortly aſter taking office. He told the Commons: “One thing that this Government will do that the last Government did not, is demand that landlords raise the standard of their accommodation to a proper energy performance certificate standard C by 2030.” He said the move will help support more


than three million people in the country facing fuel poverty. Te C target mirrors the original Conservative


proposals, first mooted in 2021, which would have required all landlords in England and Wales to have a C rated home by 2028 – plans which were axed by former PM Rishi Sunak last year. Te National Residential Landlords Association


supports the principle of energy efficient homes, but it also knows that many landlords face significant challenges when it comes to making upgrades, particularly when it comes to insulating older solid brick homes. It is asking the Government for more


information as to how properties will be assessed and details of any exemptions and spending caps, as well as whether funding or other support will be available to landlords when it comes to making improvements. New regulations will be needed – and the NRLA


will be pushing for details to be set out swiſtly to allow landlords time to plan for any upgrades required. Te last Government was consulting on plans to change the way EPC inspections are carried out just prior to the election.


LONG TERM PLANS NEEDED Now that a firm target is in place, the NRLA will be continuing its campaign on the issue and


engaging with the new government to stress the need for a credible and long-term plan that supports the rental market to improve energy efficiency, including targeting funding for improvements and tax incentives to reduce the overall cost of making changes. NRLA deputy director of campaigns, policy


and public affairs Meera Chindooroy said: “In the midst of a housing and cost of living crisis it is vital that we ensure there is a healthy supply of quality homes to let in the places where people want to live. “Creating energy efficient homes is a win/win –


tenants have cheaper bills, and the property is more marketable as a result. However, the costs to get some homes, typically older properties, to a C grade is, quite simply prohibitive for smaller landlords. “Our research shows that, contrary to popular


opinion most landlords are not property tycoons with money to spare, and with improvements potentially costing tens of thousands of pounds it is essential that the government comes up with a plan that will work across the country.” Under the previous government’s ‘C’ rating


proposals spend on energy efficiency improvements was to be capped at £10,000. However, as the NRLA pointed out at the


time, the impact this would have on landlords would differ depending on which part of the country they lived in – £10,000 being much more feasible for a landlord to finance if they are renting out homes in London, for example, compared to someone whose properties are located in the north east. While 2030 may sound like some time off,


landlords need time to budget for and plan improvement works – and find traders to carry them out – meaning landlords need answers sooner rather than later.


plans for an Athletes’ Village in Birmingham for the 2022 games. Te development’s construction was delayed due to coronavirus with athletes instead being housed in student accommodation. Te flats have been sitting empty since they were completed in April 2023. Te 213 homes in Perry Barr are set to


become available for council housing use, which Birmingham City Council said would provide a “welcome boost to the supply of high-quality council homes”. A report said 23,000 people were waiting


for social housing in the city and a portion of the 213 people who would be given the new homes will currently be in council funded temporary accommodation.


Council leader John Cotton was optimistic about Perry Barr’s future despite recent uncertainty over the residential scheme. He said: “It’s been utterly transformed as a result of the legacy from the Games, whether we’re looking at the railway station, Alexander Stadium, the new secondary school and sixth form. So I think there’s a bright future for Perry Barr as a result of that Games legacy.”


Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member


for housing and homelessness, added: “Te decision to keep one of these plots to be used as council homes has been made aſter a detailed analysis of all possible options. “It will boost the supply of homes for people


in the city who are most in need, at a time when the number of people on the housing register has never been higher.”


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMAugust/September 2024 | 5


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