This should need no explanation
The core reasons why action is necessary are being played out as climate change is making our world less hospitable to live in year after year.
This is, however, more than just about an existential threat. The threat that real physical and mental harm could befall students through events beyond their control is not something we can ignore.
Many students could fall into fuel poverty
Students are generally excluded from official fuel poverty statistics so there is little research available for how they are affected, let alone financial support for them. However, we know how much it costs to heat their homes and we know how much their maintenance loans are. There is little doubt that a significant amount will be in fuel poverty with the rise in energy bills and whether they statistically count or not, they will be affected the same as anyone else.
The government’s definition and statistics for fuel poverty are intentionally exclusionary and lag far behind what is actually happening now. For instance, no matter household income, if a property has an EPC rating of C or above, it is impossible for that household to be in fuel poverty. We feel the NEA’s definition of having to spend more than 10% of your income on achieving a satisfactory heating regime is a better metric. By this definition, many student households would be classed as in fuel poverty.
The effects of fuel poverty can be a vicious cycle of debt and unsafe energy rationing. Cold homes can worsen a range of serious health conditions such as bronchitis and asthma as well as having a significant impact on mental health. Cold homes are also not conducive to being productive places to study so could also negatively affect their performance at university.
The need to reduce gas consumption and carbon emissions
The way we heat our homes is unsustainable, gas will only become a scarcer and more expensive resource so it’s only right we seek to reduce its usage. Recent global events have raised many legitimate questions about our energy security and where we procure gas from. This coupled with the carbon footprint of using gas to heat our homes is enough reason to look at ways we can reduce consumption while exploring how to move away from non-renewable power sources.
Occupant and building health are a high priority
The typical housing stock in student areas in the North West are Victorian builds which are more challenging to make energy efficient. However, we are confident in the skills and knowledge of our team to guide landlords to make meaningful improvements that will keep houses warmer while making sure indoor air quality does not deteriorate, keeping the occupants healthy.
Ongoing support, throughout the tenancy
For most of our tenants this is the first time they have lived in a home where they are responsible for the bills. That can take a bit of time to get their head round and figure out the best way to share the costs between housemates and organise how they pay. We're hoping that we can give them the right information at the right time; from the moment they set their bills up through the expected price rises and ending with how to close them down at the end of their tenancies.