Kingfisher Joins Others In Calling For Renovation Rebate

Sky News has reported that Lloyds Banking Group, Kingfisher, Santander and E.ON UK have become members of a new group called the Better Homes Alliance (BHA).

The BHA is calling for incentives to drive energy efficiency in homes, and has written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, urging the government to consider a 'rebate to renovate'.

The letter, seen by Sky News, proposes a rebate which could be given to homeowners to improve the EPC or energy rating of their property within two years of a sale.

Excerpts from the letter include: “We believe that a carrot, rather than a stick, approach is the only way to encourage homeowners to make the kind of improvements that will start addressing the fact that we have some of the least efficient and carbon-intensive homes in Europe,"

"Improving our stock can also add a substantial 'price premium' to homes, with Rightmove research showing an improved EPC rating of F to C can add as much as £56,000 to the value of a home above local price growth,”

The BHA has calculated that energy efficiency improvements could save £10 billion or £390 per household, noting that ageing housing stock in Britain accounts for 17% of the country’s carbon.

Source : Sky News

Image : Petmal / iStockphoto.com (538895150)

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