The Green Deal for residential properties

The Government has recently introduced an initiative called The Green Deal, which is designed to reduce carbon emissions and save energy in the home.  The premise is that, if residential properties can be better insulated and have other energy efficiency improvements made to them, then energy demands will be reduced.

The Green Deal allows property owners to pay for the energy improvement measures with no up-front payment.

The idea is that the installers will install the appropriate energy enhancing measures (e.g. cavity wall insulation, solar panels, boilers etc.) at their cost.  The householder will then repay the cost (together with interest fixed for the period) over many years, using the savings made through their reduced energy bills.  The Green Deal repayments will be incorporated within the utility bills, which should be below the actual cost of the energy bills prior to the works being carried out.

The Government’s policy is to ensure that consumers are protected at all stages.

The works must be completed by registered installers who will be required to obtain the necessary planning and building regulations consents for the works being done.  If the owners of a Green Deal property plan to sell or rent their property then there is a duty to disclose the existence of the Green Deal and its financial implications.  The basic intention is that this will be achieved by disclosing the Green Deal in the Energy Performance Certificate.  If a Green Deal is not disclosed, then a new owner or tenant can challenge the obligation to repay, which may then leave the debt with the seller or the landlord.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss The Green Deal further with a conveyancing solicitor please call Gary Burns on 0161 624 6811, gb@wrigleyclaydon.com at the Oldham office or Emma Piszkalo on 01706 815712, ep@wrigleyclaydontod.com at the Todmorden office.

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John Porter

John has been with Wrigley Claydon for over 20 years, becoming a partner in 1995. Specialising in Employment Law, John helps clients with matters including the preparation of recruitment policies and employment contracts as well as advocating in employment tribunals in cases of unfair dismissal or discrimination. He also has considerable experience of dealing with landlord and tenant disputes and matters relating to business and company sales, commercial investment property transactions and lettings as well as residential estate and offshore property developments. “I know I’ve done a good job when the business doesn’t need me!” John is never happier than when spending time with his wife and 2 children, Lucy and Alex. John is Chair of Respect Our Community Awards (ROCA) and a board member of First Choice Homes Oldham. In his spare time, John is likely to be found either reading, cooking or walking Donnie the Golden Retriever.

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