Propertymark has voiced concerns regarding the Northern Ireland Government’s proposed £150 million Warm Healthy Homes Fund, stating that linking energy-efficiency support for private rented homes to tenants’ income could leave the least efficient properties without necessary improvements. The industry body submitted its response to the Department for Communities consultation on the fund, which is set to replace the Affordable Warmth Scheme.
Under the proposed fund, landlords' access to funding for private rented properties would be determined by whether their tenants meet specific income and benefits criteria, rather than the energy efficiency of the property itself. Propertymark argues that funding should instead be directed towards homes most in need of improvement, noting that an energy-inefficient property could miss out on support if its tenant does not meet the eligibility criteria.
Henry Griffith, senior policy officer at Propertymark, stated that the success of the fund should be measured by the number of inefficient homes it helps to improve. He added that while the proposed fund has positive elements, such as fully funded measures and substantial grants for whole-house improvements, financial support should be flexible, accessible to landlords, and targeted at properties that are most difficult and expensive to improve.
Propertymark is also advocating for landlords to be able to reapply for funding if it was previously rejected, becomes available later, or if installed measures prove ineffective or unsafe. The body also supports the use of approved contractors to ensure quality control and protect consumers and landlords.