To: Government Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycock and Secretary of Energy, Ed Milliband
Did you know there are no EPC regulation for social (council) houses- WHY?
Social Housing landlords which include Councils have no specific standards or incentives to improve or make their properties warmer and cheaper. Why? They police themselves. the Private Rental Sector standards are governed by EPC ratings this should be applied to entire housing sector including Social and privately owned properties.
Astonishingly, In 2022 -23 the Ombudsman received over 5,000 complaints that were escalated for formal investigation for the first time, this resulted in 6,590 orders and recommendations to make things right for residents. Within the social rented sector, local authority dwellings were more likely to have serious condensation (7%) than housing association dwellings (4%) rated at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. according to governments own Housing Survey.
This is the tip of the iceberg, you'll have heard of Aawab Law named after the sad and avoidable death of 2yrd old Aawab Ishak from respiratory failure caused by the dangerous level of mould in their Rochdale council flat. Many more continue to suffer and have tehir health severely impacted.
Astonishingly, In 2022 -23 the Ombudsman received over 5,000 complaints that were escalated for formal investigation for the first time, this resulted in 6,590 orders and recommendations to make things right for residents. Within the social rented sector, local authority dwellings were more likely to have serious condensation (7%) than housing association dwellings (4%) rated at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. according to governments own Housing Survey.
This is the tip of the iceberg, you'll have heard of Aawab Law named after the sad and avoidable death of 2yrd old Aawab Ishak from respiratory failure caused by the dangerous level of mould in their Rochdale council flat. Many more continue to suffer and have tehir health severely impacted.
We must have an effective independent EPC that applies to Social housing, including Local Authorities so that there is minimum quality of housing for tenants.
Why is this important?
We need your help to ensure the Government LISTEN and take ACTION.
There is a great push to achieve Net Zero and clamp down on rogue landlords. Why are social housing tenants not given the same standard of regulations or quality of living as imposed on Private Rental Sector?
There should be an EPC standard for all social buildings and also individual tenanted and more teeth given to Housing Ombudsman as last year only a total of £1.1m was awarded compensation due to maladministration in England.
We know how important a warm and safe house is to everyone. The responsibility of being a landlords should be taken seriously no matter who you landlord is. Our Social Housing properties are in need of significant improvements and sadly those in social properties do not have a say on making these changes and also because of a lack of information about the energy performance of these properties are not able to make an informed decision to continue to live in them.
There is a great push to achieve Net Zero and clamp down on rogue landlords. Why are social housing tenants not given the same standard of regulations or quality of living as imposed on Private Rental Sector?
There should be an EPC standard for all social buildings and also individual tenanted and more teeth given to Housing Ombudsman as last year only a total of £1.1m was awarded compensation due to maladministration in England.
We know how important a warm and safe house is to everyone. The responsibility of being a landlords should be taken seriously no matter who you landlord is. Our Social Housing properties are in need of significant improvements and sadly those in social properties do not have a say on making these changes and also because of a lack of information about the energy performance of these properties are not able to make an informed decision to continue to live in them.
How it will be delivered
The petition will be submitted to the Housing Minister and Secretary of Sate for Energy
