Tenants call for improved consultation around decarbonisation of social housing

Scotland’s Housing Network and the Tenants Information Service (TIS) have undertaken a consultation with social housing tenants across Scotland to better understand tenants' views and attitudes towards climate change.

The Scottish Government’s twenty-year vision for housing - Housing to 2040 sets out the commitment to take action to adapt and retrofit existing homes to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating. This means that homes across all tenures must be more energy efficient and begin to move away from using fossil fuel heating systems like gas boilers, if targets are to be met. However, these ambitions do not come without notable financial and technical challenges.

While a range of studies have already been published, many of these relate to general attitudes towards climate change across the UK and do not address the specific priorities and expectations of people living in social housing in Scotland. Therefore, this study was undertaken as a starting point to better understand tenants’ views and attitudes towards climate change.

When asked about their awareness of the Scottish Government's target to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, the majority of respondents (73 percent) said that they had heard of the target, with RSL tenants most likely to respondent positively (79 per cent compared to 66 percent of council tenants).

Figure 1. Are you aware of the Scottish Government's target to reach net-zero emissions by 2045 (%)

Respondents were asked if they were concerned about the effects of climate change. Of the 270 respondents, the majoirty (77 percent) said that they were - with RSL tenants most likely to respond positively (82 percent compared to 70 percent of council tenants). 12 percent of respondents said that they were not concerned about the effects of climate change, and a further 12 percent were not sure.

Figure 2. Are you concerned about the effects of climate change? (%)

When asked what they consider should be a priority when their landlord is investing in improvements to their home, the top choice for respondents was `achieving a better EPC rating, and reducing energy bills' followed by 'achieving the SHQS by installling new windows, doors and kitchens'.Whilst social housing tenants were fully supportive of a fabric first approach there were some concerns that rent freezes would make this challenging.

Climate change is admirable but energy efficiency is a much bigger priority. And with rent freezes how can landlords achieve these targets anyway?

Tenants felt that there had not been enough consultation on decarbonisation at both a national and a local level and they highlighted the importance of ensuring tenants voices were heard on this matter. They also highlighted the need for improved communication around decarbonisation of social housing to ensure tenants have the facts and would dispel any rumours, fears or worries.

?Tenants must be entitled to get involved and influence energy efficiency and net zero discussions with their landlords.

This project developed by the Network and TIS highlights that whilst tenants are aware of the Scottish Government’s target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2045 they are not fully aware of what this means to them and their homes. There is a need for improved communication around decarbonisation of social housing to ensure that tenants have the facts and to dispel any rumours, fears or worries. Social housing tenants felt that there has not been enough consultation on decarbonisation at both a national and a local level, and they highlighted the importance of ensuring that tenants voices were heard on this matter.

Trudi Tokarczyk, Service Improvement Manager at Scotlands Housing Network