The 7 Ps
Taking inspiration from a military adage might seem excessive to call attention to your energy bills but trying to keep warm in a cold home can be a battle. At least 42% of rented homes around London have a low but still-legal EPC rating of D or E. Why wait until Winter? If your home is hard to heat, take heed; Prior Planning and Preparation Prevent Painfully Pricey Payments.
Londoners can get free, impartial energy advice, tailored to individual circumstances from Energy Advice London. Funded by the Mayor of London, everyone living in London is eligible to use the service, which includes
- Free, impartial advice to help you to save energy and water, access financial support, manage energy and heating bills and more
- Information on sources of local support and financial assistance, including referrals to the Warmer Homes Advice Service for emergency support and home visits
- A directory of local support service , including cost of living support
You can contact one of the Energy Advice London expert advisors on 0808 196 8260 or via the website
Energy Advice London is delivered by Energy Saving Trust, which has 30 years of experience in delivering expert energy efficiency and renewables advice. You can keep up-to-date with them on Twitter , their Facebook page or read more from the Energy Saving Trust on LinkedIn
Very sadly, more than 4000 preventable deaths were caused by the impact of cold homes last Winter. Elders, young children and people with impairments that limit mobility are all at increased risk. Please share this important information with your co-workers, friends, neighbours and anyone else you know who might need to know?
Progress; Renters (Reform) Bill
“Huge swathes of renters have been left paying a heavy price for the Government’s inaction on section 21” and urged government to “get moving on this issue”.After firing off some hard facts and stats, housing expert Natalie Elphicke (Con) confirmed that
“The current legislative framework—a short-term tenure for long-term living, one person’s pension pot but another person’s only home—is not fit for that purpose.”
Helen Hayes (Lab), visible and and vocal in support of renters across many years, spoke out again. And among many other good points, Fleur Anderson (Lab) emphasized the importance of adequate funding for local government to exercise their enforcement role. As Caroline Lucas (Green) said, early on
“There is much to welcome in this Bill. But….”Because there is much more to be done if the private rented sector is to provide adequate housing. But progress of the Renters (Reform) Bill to Committee Stage is a step forward. Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) told the House that measures to deal with any landlord who might use intention to sell “as a feint in order to evict a tenant” will be explained at Committee Stage. And later, he said
“I am sure that in Committee we will hear representations from different Members and different organisations about how we can improve the Bill further.”Renters’ Reform Coalition members are currently compiling a written submission to the Committee. Representatives of some member organisations have been invited to give evidence in-person, during the week beginning 13th November.
The fight for Healthy Homes continues
Much less good news from Parliament last week when the Healthy Homes amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was rejected. Now, a Bill nominally aimed at reducing inequalities includes no mention of health and well-being.
The entirely avoidable costs to the NHS of the sickness arising from poor-quality new builds and conversions will continue to grow unless local authorities include the Healthy Homes principles in their planning codes. But an overwhelming body of evidence shows that current policy is not delivering the decent and well-planned homes this country so urgently needs.
The TCPA remains committed to fighting on, supported by many other organisations dedicated to promoting healthy homes and neighbourhoods. If you are part of a network which is not already part of the coalition, and would like to receive updates please contact H
What do you think about council housing?
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Council Housing (APPG) campaigns to increase the number of council houses being built and also works to represent the interests of council tenants in parliament. The Group has launched an inquiry is inviting evidence from all who live and work or represent council housing, or wish they did.
The APPG are asking all interested people to give their views on all or some of the following 5 questions:
1. How important is council housing, in addressing local/general housing need?
2. Does your area still have directly-owned council housing? If not, do you think new/acquired council homes are needed? Please say why.
3. If your area has council housing, what condition is it in, what investment is needed, and what is stopping that investment?
4. What is your experience of stock transfer, PFI, ALMO, SPVs or other alternative mechanisms to build and manage council (or former council) housing?
5. What do you think we need to do to secure a new generation of good-quality council homes?
Please send your answers to any or all of these questions to
ASSET ARREST
Artist Laura Yuile’s project and podcast series has been exploring the politics and forms of financialized housing and its impacts upon us, since 2015. Then, as now, ‘Your global agent for accessing property you can’t afford’ could refer to any and all homes for sale. of course.
But from London City Island in Episode 1 to ‘co-living’ nearby at The Collective Canary Wharf in Episode 14, via Zhujiang New Town area of Guangzhou and newly-built Gleis Park, Kreuzberg in Berlin, Laura Yuile views a particularly pricey property with her invited guest.asset arrest also invites you to get in touch if there’s some building you’d like to access, to see the city from inside one of these exclusive spaces. Click on the image below to explore