Cavity wall insulation & renting..

aligerdie

Due to our daughter being disabled and receiving the qualifying benefits, I understand we might be eligible for free Cavity Wall Insulation and loft insulation too.

We are in a private let, managed by agents.

Are landlords normally happy to have this work done? I'm reluctant to write off to the agents if it's not something landlords want done, however, seeing as it may help our astronomical heating bills, I'd like it done!

What is the best way of approaching this? I don't know if I need to send them details of who is offering this, or whether they send companies they use already.

We're not eligible for the Warmfront scheme as our daughter is only 3, however I have had someone come to the door offering grants subsidised by the energy companies.

Sorry for all the questions, just wondering if it's worth trying to get or not and could use some advice!

Thanks

G_M

1) be careful of 'people who come to the door...' Get their offer in writing. Check who they are and where the funding is from.
2) Do NOT do this without your LL's agreement. Having major works carried out on his property without his permission is irresponsible and in breach of your contract. If the contractors mess up the LL will be (rightly) very angry!

Having said that, if the contractors and scheme are genuine, most LLs would be happy to see their property improved at minimal or zero cost to themselves!

Speak to the LL if you have his number, or write to him at the address on the contract (by law he must have given you an address even if it is c/o his agents.)

moromir

One thing I will say about WarmFront... is that they send a person round to your house, this person has no real building relation qualifications, they decide what you'll be able to apply for (ie cavity wall insulation without actually checking there is a cavity there to fill, a new heating system etc), WarmFront then send a letter to your Landlord saying you're eligible for cavity wall insulation (and new heating system etc), enclosing a permission slip stating the Landlord gives permission for the work to be carried out.

Now quite rightly, my Landlord responded with a 'ah now hang on here a minute... I'd like to see a specification of what they intend to do before I give them free rein to do whatever they want in there especially if it involves ripping out the heating'.

Would WarmFront send their building surveyor round to collect the necessary info? No, not until they had the signed permission slip. Would WarmFront provide a different permission slip so the Landlord could just consent to the building surveyor attending to produce the report? No. Its a catch 22 if you have a careful Landlord.. Needless to say I didn't get very far with them.

G_M

Yes but the OP says it's not Warmfront...

Tigsteroonie

I wrote and told our LL that we were now eligible (having had a baby) and did he mind?

He replied that it was fine by him (a win-win situation) so long as I kept him fully informed of what & when.

We've now had loft insulation & cavity wall insulation done under a local Council scheme. They took the LL's details but I don't know if they ever contacted him direct or whether they were happy with our say-so.

clutton_2

one of my tenants had cavity wall insulation put in without my knowledge... the firm who did it were not a member of any professional body, and i had to emply someone else to refill the drill holes which were insufficiently filled... i was furious

i personally dont believe that cavity wall insulation is sensible - there is a thread here (or on singingpig) about timber framed buildings being severly compromised by cavity wall work....

aligerdie

Thank you all for your replies.

Naturally I wouldn't have done anything without the landlord's express permission, however seeing as we may be eligible for it, I'm looking into the possiblities of getting it done.

I will look into the local authority schemes, I wasn't aware they did this but I shall investigate further.

As for choosing who carries out the work, I was hoping the landlord may recommend a company he's happy with (I believe he's a builder).

Thank you all again for your help, it's certainly given me something to think about!