Home Bank launched to help landlords and tenants work together to save energy
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has launched the ‘Home Bank’ initiative in partnership with Birmingham City Council, to encourage tenants and landlords to help one another save energy this winter.
Sonnaz Nooranvary, the television presenter well-known for her upholstery and soft furnishing skills, joins local seamstresses and volunteers at the famous ‘Rag Market’ to provide free alterations for donated curtains and soft furnishings provided by local landlords and businesses.
Today’s event follows NRLA research which reveals that only 22% of tenants had made a request for their landlord to make energy efficiency improvements to their property. However, 41% of tenants who took this course of action reported that their landlords had responded positively to their request.
Currently, just one in five tenants turn to their landlords or letting agents for advice on cutting bills. Similarly, tenants are more likely to turn to internet searches (44%) or friends and family (39%) for energy saving tips than their landlords. As a result, nearly a quarter of tenants are unsure how to make basic savings by adjusting their radiators, and a shocking one in six (14%) do not know where their thermostat is.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said:
“Both landlords and tenants are struggling with the cost of living crisis, and greater coordination is needed between both groups to help improve energy efficiency in private rental accommodation this Winter.
“We’re launching the Home Bank to raise awareness that by working together, landlords and their tenants can significantly increase the energy efficiency of properties and support each other through this winter.”
Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness at Birmingham City Council, said:
“As a council we are pleased to support the launch of the NRLA’s Home Bank. Giving the cost of living crisis any help and support which is available to tenants and landlords in the form of home improvements is welcome. So I hope this stall will act as a real one stop shop for tenants and landlords to find out about what is available. As a council we have recently launched HelpinBrum www.birmingham.gov.uk/livingsupport which offers support and advice to those families and households who are struggling with the bills. This Home Bank will complement that support and we hope as many people as possible will visit the stall.”
One of the simplest ways that tenants can save energy is to fit correctly adjusted and thermal curtains which can cut heat loss by up to 10 per cent. Amongst those surveyed by the NRLA, installing curtains (43%), came ahead of swapping incandescent lamps for LED lights (41%) and covering hard floors with rugs (37%) as routes to make their home more energy efficient. Other simple and effective ways to save energy in the home are draught-proofing around windows and doors which could save around £60 a year on energy bills and draught-proofing open chimneys when not in use which could save around £90 a year.
The first Home Bank launches in Birmingham, the city with the second highest proportion of families in rental accommodation outside of London. The stall at the famous Rag Market has been supported with donations of fabric and sewing materials from local craft retailer Hobbycraft, Sollihull, as well as rugs and soft furnishings from residential interiors firm Loft and gift vouchers from Carpetright for Business. Alongside Sonnaz, local seamstresses and volunteers are on hand to share tips and provide practical assistance in adapting donated goods to maximise their value to tenants in saving energy.
To help tenants improve the energy efficiency of their homes, Sonnaz Nooranvary shares her top tips for simple ways to reduce heat loss this winter:
- A big contributor to heat loss in homes is through windows. Installing curtains is a simple way to save money on your energy bills, but they must be fitted correctly.
- Interlining your curtains yourself!
- If you want to fit Roman blinds instead of curtains fit them to the face of the wall overhanging and covering the window opening instead of fitting into the recess if possible.
- Hard floors look great, but they do mean more heat is lost through the floor.
- Draughty doors let heat out and cold air in. Adding draught excluder tape to the inside of the door frame and putting up an over-door curtain can make a huge difference.
- Draught excluders are quick and easy to make and can be made with remnant fabrics or by upcycling old clothing or throws.
- Try to avoid placing furniture like chairs and sofas in front of radiators
- Adding scatter cushions to sofas and chairs can make for a cosier look but also could provide some additional warmth.
