Energy efficiency

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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

In October 2015 there were changes made to The Housing Act 2004 which requires Landlords to show prospective tenants a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before a tenancy agreement is entered.

Landlords MUST have an EPC before they advertise the property, aside from some exemptions. If they don't, they are liable to a £200 fine.

All properties which are being advertised for sale or rent since 9 January 2013 must display the Energy Indicator, regardless of the length of time the property has been listed. 

Your property's EPC needs to be available to potential buyers as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent. You must get an approved Domestic Energy Assessor to produce the EPC.

Check for approved Domestic Energy Assessors

To see more advice on these topics, visit GOV.UK:

Energy efficiency resources

The Seasonal Health Intervention Network (SHINE) is a fuel poverty referral network and free energy advice service for Londoners.

SHINE has a dedicated helpline and provides households with the help they need to; reduce utility bills, tackle energy debt and stay well and warm.

SHINE accepts referrals for households of any tenure, with an income below £16,190 or where a household member:

  • has a disability
  • has a long-term health condition worsened by the cold
  • is a child under 15
  • is an adult over 60

Easy ways to save energy around the home:

Follow these tips and advice for quick and easy ways to save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint:

Explore home retrofit options:

There are also many home retrofit options that can reduce your carbon emissions and keep your energy bills low:

National Energy Saving Advice Line

The National Energy Saving Advice Line is a government service that provides free impartial advice on the Green Deal, ECO and energy efficiency. Their contact number is 0300 123 1234. The National Energy Saving Advice Line is run by the Energy Saving Trust

Grants to help with energy efficiency

You can find several government funded energy grants here: 

Apply for a grant to help with energy efficiency

The Energy Company Obligation phase 4 (ECO4) Scheme

About the ECO4 Scheme

The ECO4 Scheme offers free grants for a range of energy-saving upgrades. Whether you need better heating, loft or cavity wall insulation, smart heating controls, solar panels, or even an air source heat pump, this scheme can cover the costs.

Upgrades available

What upgrades you will receive are dependent on an assessment of the property but can include measures such as:

Heating measures:

Insulation:

Who can apply

The grant is primarily aimed towards homeowners and private tenants in properties (including flats) with EPC ratings of D and lower (E, F, G) who claim income-related benefits such as income-related employment and support allowance.

ECO 4 scheme qualifying benefits:

  • Child Tax Credits (CTC)
  • Child Benefits – depends on income threshold* (see thresholds)
  • Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support (IS)
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Warm Home Discount Rebate
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit Saving Credit
*Child Benefit income threshold to qualify to receive ECO 4 fund.

 
Number of children Single claimant Member of a couple
1 £19,900 £27,500
2 £24,800 £32,300
3 £29,600 £37,200
4+ £34,500 £42,000

Apply for the ECO4 Grant

Home Upgrade Grant - phase 2

The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 is a government-funded local authority scheme for properties that are off gas heating. The scheme delivers energy-saving improvements to the homes of people who are struggling to pay their heating bills and keep their homes warm in the winter.

Works may include low-cost measures including low energy lighting, draught proofing and CWI, to higher cost measures including wall, loft or floor insulation and solar PV.

The Greater London Authority successfully applied for the Home Upgrade Grant Phase Two across the London area, and are co-ordinating delivery of the scheme with their partner Everwarm, who may contact eligible homeowners within Barnet.

If you’ve not been contacted already and are interested and eligible to participate through the scheme, please apply directly with Everwarm: Greater London Authority - Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 Scheme (everwarmgroup.com).

Who is eligible for the grant?

To qualify for the scheme residents must live in a home not on mains gas and:

  • have a household income of £36,000 or less, OR
  • be living in a Lower Super Output Area with an income-decile of 1-3

Properties being prioritised are:

  • EPC D or below
  • owner occupied
  • houses
  • have poor quality insulation or inefficient heating systems
  • live in a home with no gas central heating

Other eligibility criteria may also apply.

Planning permission

Planning permission, listed building consent or other planning approvals may be required for works undertaken as energy efficiency measures and must be obtained prior to the undertaking of any works.

For works concerning single residential dwellings guidance is available from our Duty Planner Service on 020 8359 3000.

Home Energy Conservation Act 2023 report

The Home Energy Conservation Act requires local authorities in England to submit reports to the Secretary of State of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) demonstrating what energy conservation measures they have adopted to improve the energy performance of residential accommodation within that local authority's area. 

Home Energy Conservation Act 2023 report (PDF, 202 KB)

The BarNET ZERO pledge

Barnet aims to achieve net zero carbon as a Council by 2030, and as a borough by 2042. But we can’t do this alone and need everyone in the borough to work with us. For more information see the BarNET ZERO pledge page.