RESIDENTS who thought they would get financial help making their homes more energy efficient could now have to find thousands of pounds to pay for work.
Private tenants and homeowners in Matchborough were told as part of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation they would be able to have insulation improvements for free or spread the cost over their energy bill.
But residents say they were given the wrong information and it was not explained clearly to them only money saved on energy costs, as a result of the work, could be added onto bills and the rest would have to be paid upfront.
Some homeowners have received estimates of thousands of pounds to have the work done by energy provider E.On
Lisa Turner, from Felton Close, said she had been completely misled and residents across the area were furious.
“It just seems to constantly change. One minute we are being told we will get it for free, the next we will get help with it and pay it on top of our bill, then it is ‘sorry, you have to pay £2,000 upfront’.
“It’s like going into a shop and buying a television for £400, then when you come back to collect it they say it’s actually £2,000.
“I spoke to councillors and they were under the same impression as me, it is just one big joke.
“I want to get this work done because it is going devalue my home if others do and I don’t, but who has got thousands sitting in the bank there to hand?”
The changes also sparked anger in Woodrow and Winyates, with some residents benefiting from external cladding for free while others had to lose out.
Ron Morgan said he was annoyed private homeowners would have to foot the bill when council tenants would receive the work for nothing.
“If you can’t do it for all, don’t do it for one.” he said.
“A lot of people are angry about this and it is just completely unfair on those who do own their home. Now ours won’t have this insulation and they won’t look like the others.”
A Redditch Borough Council spokeswoman said energy company funding no longer covered the whole cost of installing external wall insulation.
She added the council had a responsibility as a landlord to maintain their own properties, but in partnership with Worcestershire County Council they had successfully bid for £3million to help towards installation costs for private residents across the county.
“Whilst this does not cover all the costs of the work, this is the best offer available at present.”
She added the amount of money which could be repaid through the scheme would vary from property to property and no formal quotes had been issued to residents yet.
“We have recently been in touch with several residents that have voiced their concerns to explain what is quite a complex assessment and funding arrangement.”
