Heat in Buildings Bill consultation - tell us what you think: easy read

Checking that people follow the rules

There are two ways we could check if people are following the new rules - EPCs and sampling.

An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate.

The law says any property must have one if it is for sale or rent.

An EPC shows if a building has stopped using polluting heating and has met the minimum energy efficiency standard.

Sampling

We could check some buildings.

We expect these checks would be based on EPC information and properties would not need to be inspected.

We do not plan for there to be any fines when the new rules are first brought in.

A fine is money to be paid because a rule has not been followed.

Exemptions are when someone does not have to follow the rules.

Exemptions could be:

• buildings that will be knocked down
• buildings that will do the work very soon
• some businesses depending on what heating system them have already

Some people might need more time to make the changes, for example:

• people who have bought their first house
• people who need to follow different rules because of the type of building they have

or homes where there are:

• small children, older people, or disabled people
• people in poverty – this means not having enough money to buy food or to keep warm
• people on low incomes – this means they do not have enough money coming into their household from work or benefits

They may get a grant or a free new boiler under the warmer homes scheme.

To make sure rules are fair the Bill will make it easy for people to appeal if they feel the rules are not right or fair

Questions on checking that people follow the rules

18. We need a way to check if people are following the rules in the Heat in Buildings Standard.

Which do you support?

EPCs

Sampling some buildings

A combination of EPCs and sampling some buildings

None, there should be no checking

Another way

Please tell us more about your answer.

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19. We need a way to make sure people are following the Heat in Buildings Standard.

Which of these ideas do you support?

checking mortgages or home and building insurance

extra council tax and rates charges for people who do not follow the rules

fines for people who do not follow the rules

I support a mixture of the 3 ideas above

I do not support any checks

I have another suggestion

Please tell us more about your answer.

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20. Do you support our plans to change the Standard or exempt some people from having to meet the Heat in Buildings Standard?

I support it a lot

I support it

? I do not know

I do not support it

I strongly do not support it

Tell us more about your answer. Type it here:

21. Which people, businesses, or buildings, should be able to follow a different standard, or should not have to follow the rules at all?

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22. Do you support our plan to give some people extra time to meet the Heat in Buildings Standard?

I support it a lot

I support it

? I do not know

I do not support it

I strongly do not support it

Tell us more about your answer.

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23. Which people, businesses or types of buildings, if any, should get extra time?

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