Trust insulates more than 300 private rentals
Community Energy Action Charitable Trust (CEA) insulated more than 300 private rental properties in Canterbury in the
last 12 months, providing a healthier home for the tenants.
More than a third of those had pre-schoolers living in the house. More than half had people living in the house with a
health condition. Not all were eligible for the government subsidies and a substantial number were fully paid for by the
landlord.
“That is more than 300 families now having a home that is warmer and easier to heat making it more likely they will be
able to afford to use the heating,” says Caroline Shone, Chief Executive of CEA.
Recommended minimum healthy lounge temperature according to the World Health Organisation is 18 degrees. Many properties
that were insulated before 2000 need their insulation topped up or replaced because it has deteriorated with age. Even a
home that is insulated to the standard is likely to need heating to reach that temperature in winter in Christchurch.
The adverse health and social consequences of cold, damp houses and energy poverty – the inability of householders to
afford sufficient energy services in their home, have been known for years. Insulation is a good starting point but
insulation alone does not make a cold home warm.
“A warm rental property is healthier for the tenants living in it and is less likely to deteriorate due to mould growth.
Installing insulation and efficient heating is a win-win for tenants and landlords,” says Ms Shone.
Anecdotal evidence from social agencies CEA works with, suggests some tenants don’t ask their landlord to put insulation
in even if it is free, for fear of rent rises.
Eileen Phillips is one of the landlords who insulated several rental properties through CEA. They also provide heat
pumps in their rentals. Eileen explains her motivation: “I want to live in a warm home and I expect my tenants would
like the same. If I put a lovely couple in my property, I don’t want complaints, that’s the way I work. Piece of mind is
a big thing for me.”
For Eileen and her husband John it also makes sense from a business point of view. “It’s about looking after our
properties. In the past we had a lot of problems with mould. Maintenance can become very costly when they are not
insulated. If it’s warm, they don’t get mouldy provided there is good airflow through ventilation.”
They have personal experience how energy efficiency investments help retain tenants. “One couple was going to buy their
own home. But after we put in insulation and double glazing, they loved it so much, they wanted to stay.”
“I’m really happy that Eileen and John are such responsible landlords,” says Ms Shone. “I’m sure their tenants are
really appreciative. I hope that more landlords will be like this couple, so many more tenants could be a lot warmer.”
ENDS