Landlords get ready. Your coldest rental homes must be made warm17 January 2012
Draughty, energy-wasting rental homes must be fixed up under a new law we successfully pushed.
The worst energy-wasting flats will all need an upgrade.
Tenants rejoice, landlords beware
A law requiring warmer, energy-efficient rented homes was one of the most obvious ways we could think of to cut carbon emissions from heating.
The Government and MPs agreed. And starting in 2018 renters chilled by poor insulation and struggling to pay their heating bills will benefit.
Which rented homes?
The new law is part of the 2011 Energy Act.
And it affects about a fifth of all private rental residences - those labelled with energy efficiency ratings of F and G. They number almost 700,000.
If they're not improved, landlords will be prevented from letting them.
The Government has made it clear that renting out dangerously cold and draughty homes is unacceptable - landlords will have to improve their properties.
Dave Timms, Warm Homes campaigner, Friends of the Earth
Life saver
The new law could help save thousands of lives according to an earlier report commissioned by Friends of the Earth.
Its findings show that deaths are nearly three times higher in the coldest months of housing than in the warmest months.
People might be shocked to learn that living in a cold home doesn't just affect older people - it also has a negative impact on the development and emotional wellbeing of babies, children and teenagers.
Prof Sir Michael Marmot, Friends of the Earth report author
Diverse coalition
Around 100,000 people took action to influence the warmer homes provisions of the Energy Bill. Our coalition included dozens of health and consumer groups, councils, charities and tenants organisations.
But, 2018?
Friends of the Earth believes the Government could move faster - and will push for quicker action - but the law will release thousands of vulnerable families from high energy bills, fuel poverty, and long-term health issues.
Now you
You too can have a role in a campaign that will cut our reliance on fossil fuels. Join us in our Final Demand to cut the influence of the Big Six energy companies and give us energy we can all afford.
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