Energy Saving First for Oxford

28 February 2012, 05:00 | Updated: 28 February 2012, 09:30

People living in rented homes in part of Oxford are getting more help to make their homes more energy efficient so they can save on their bills.

Low Carbon East Oxford have been given a government grant of £37,000 to help landlords and tenants be more energy efficient as part of their Landlord Energy Saving Scheme - the first of its kind in the country.

They'll be training auditors to carry out surveys in around 200 homes in the city and 50 of those will be given energy efficient devices.

One property will win solid wall insulation worth £9,000.

Craig Simmons, local resident and Chair of Low Carbon East Oxford says

"It’s a win-win scheme. Landlords get help with improving their homes, tenants get to say good-bye to draughty homes and soaring energy bills.

"The community as a whole builds skills in energy efficiency, improves the housing stock and cuts potentially tonnes of carbon to boot.

"Oxford is home to a higher than average rate of privately rented accommodation and East Oxford is one of the heartlands of the private rented sector.

"Green building projects have always struggled to engage with the private rented sector so this project will set a precedent."

Sign up to get your house checked out or to become and auditor here.