Camden reveals top green properties for Empty Homes Week

Camden Council has unveiled two new flats developed to high sustainable specifications, placing them among the top one per cent of houses in the UK for energy efficiency.

The local authority backed the refurbishment of the homes in a deal with the landlord that is enabling residents in need to move residence as part of Empty Homes Week. Work on empty homes in Camden has returned more than 130 properties back into use. 

Thanks to empty homes grants, the properties have been revamped to a Grade A condition for tenants in the rental market. As part of the plans, the homes are available to tenants in priority need for three to five years, while landlords can also benefit from a lettings service free of charge.

These programmes offer advantages for landlords while helping Camden to identify more properties for those in need of homes.

Councillor Julian Fulbrook, Camden’s cabinet member for housing, was at the home with Helen Williams, director of the Empty Homes Agency. This was after Camden signed up to the agency’s programme to decrease the number of empty homes across England.

Mr Fulbrook went on to say: “I’m delighted to see these homes back in use and available to our residents.

“Our empty homes grants are a great way of helping landlords with getting their property back on the market and providing homes to people in need.”

He stressed that the green credentials of the property will save tenants money on their bills and reduce carbon emissions, noting that the flats feature solar panels and an under floor heating system that saves energy. 

Mr Fulbrook emphasised that he has committed to environmentally-friendly and responsible developments in the area and hopes to see similar initiatives in the future.

As residents become more and more environmentally-aware, green technologies are likely to become increasingly popular in the coming years, and Camden’s programme may be replicated across the country. 

Published 12th May, 2015

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