29th
Jul 2022
The government has once again told landlords they must pass on energy rebates to their tenants.
Scottish National Party MP Owen Thompson, submitted a written parliamentary question on the matter for a debate.
He wanted clarification on whether the government expected those landlords who included energy costs in tenant’s rents would actually hand over the rebate to them, and whether it has any plans in place in to help those tenants who are not given the rebate.
There are around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D and around 95 per cent of rented properties come under the bands and are eligible to receive the £150 rebate from the government’s £3 million council tax fund.
Many tenants in HMOs pay a monthly rent which covers amongst such things as energy costs, broadband and of course council tax.
Energy minister Greg Hands replied: “Landlords who have a domestic electricity contract with an electricity supplier and resell the electricity to their tenants based on energy usage may be required to comply with the maximum resale price rules.
“The MRP for electricity is currently set as the same price as that paid by the person reselling it.
“Under these circumstances, the Government expect landlords to pass on the discount received through tenants.
“Landlords with a domestic electricity connection who charge ‘all inclusive’ rent, where a fixed cost for energy costs are included in their rental charges, are strongly encouraged to pass on the discount to their tenants.”
However the Energy Minister failed to address the issue on whether and how tenants who pay an all-inclusive monthly rent will be redressed if the rebate is not passed onto them.
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