Retrofitting rebate


I am proposing a retrofitting rebate paid from stamp duty

With more than five million UK homes without cavity walls, almost five million built before 1919 and around 18 million built without insulation, the retrofit housing challenge is colossal.

This challenge is made even more difficult because currently, low earners and older people are the only groups eligible for energy efficiency grants. This leaves a huge majority out.

As part of its Future Homes Standard, the Government will soon consult on how we establish a Future Homes Standard for existing homes but for the March 2020 budget, the Government could signal its intention by allowing every home which pays stamp duty a rebate if they carry out accepted retrofitting work, carried out by registered companies and practices.

The Government would benefit because it could retain stamp duty until rebated.
Industry would have the confidence to invest in new techniques and opportunities.
Homeowners would be less anxious about the payback period of energy efficiency works.
Most importantly, the climate would benefit because homes would use much less energy and a new industry of retrofitting solutions wold be established.

I am therefore proposing we have a retrofitting rebate on stamp duty and hope you would sign this petition for the Government to consider it.

How it could work –
- Stamp duty is paid to the treasury and is held by the Government
- Homeowners can then get quotes from registered companies for retrofitting works.
- The only companies who could quote for rebated work would need to be on a ‘Retrofitting     Rebate’ register. The cost of registration would be nominal, to cover administration.
- Homeowners would have three years to apply for the rebate as this would allow them time    to save for works.
- Low interest/interest free loans would be offered
- When all work is completed, a certificate of completion would be issued by the company     and building control inspectors.
- Building control inspectors time would be paid out of the rebate and they would register completed works in a database
- Rebate applications are submitted to HMRC and only paid out if accompanied by a     certificate of completion and building inspector sign off
- If more than one job was completed over a period of three years, works could be grouped   to save administrative costs and time

There will be other things to work out, such as whether central government or local government registers companies, who offers warranties and whether there is a flat UK fee for building control inspectors but if the budget signified that all homes from 11 March 2020 were eligible for a future rebate, the Government could have a four year period to implement the system and work out the process.

The timeframe could be –

Year 1
0-6 months
Retrofit consultation completes. Accepted practices/credentials published. (updateable)

0-12 months
All homes paying stamp duty are included but homeowners must register themselves on a backdated list. This could be done in a number of ways, such as title deeds or through solicitors/conveyancers who give a certificate of sale.

6-12 months
Warranty provision established.
‘Retrofitting Rebate’ company’s sign up to works register.
Automatic homeowner registration process set up.
Solicitors/conveyancers alerted of rebate registration process.

Year 2 to 4
First year of the three year retrofitting rebate period begins.
Loans for works established.

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