The green barometer six

Tenants could be saving up to £700 a year on energy bills by asking and encouraging their landlords to install straightforward energy saving measures, according to our latest Green Barometer report. And seven in 10 householders said they would try and drive down the price if the home they were trying to buy or rent had a poor energy efficiency rating, with 85 per cent of people saying they would try and knock up to a fifth off the rental or purchase price.

From 1 October 2008, landlords are legally bound to show tenants the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) score of the property they are renting out. EPCs tell people how energy-efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. We are urging landlords to get ahead of the game and start upgrading the energy efficiency of properties they own. There is also no need for landlords to pass on the cost to tenants, as there is support available that can help recoup any financial outlay involved. For instance, landlords can apply for financial support to make their properties greener through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). In addition, landlords can apply for the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance - a tax allowance which lets landlords claim on their income tax or corporation tax against the cost of buying and installing certain energy saving measures. Tax relief is for a maximum of £1,500 per property.

Landlords can contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 to find out what grants and offers are available to them to make their property more energy efficient.

Find out how landlords can save energy.

Read the full Green Barometer report here