Social renters have expressed a multitude of concerns over retrofitting and their property, a survey of over 100 English housing associations has revealed.

The poll of 251 renters by Procurement for Housing, Fusion21, Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) and the University of Salford showed that 38% have been given no choice about the energy efficient measures made to their home; 17% were concerned retrofit technology will not work, and 14% said they were worried the wouldn’t know how to work their energy saving equipment. But while 94% of tenants were lucky enough to have seen improvements made to their properties, 25% said their landlord had given them no support after the installation. Conversely, 11% said they had been given a home demonstration, and 3% received more than one home visit.

"Social landlords need to do more to involve tenants in the retrofit decision making process. The sector needs to develop low cost, effective methods of retrofit support and communication for residents," said Dave Neilson, chief executive at Fusion21.

Thirteen per cent of respondents said they felt their views and suggestions on energy improvements were ignored or only partly considered, but 46% said the opposite about their landlord.

Steve Malone, MD of PfH said: "Under the forthcoming Green Deal, social renters may perceive they are ‘paying’ for the installation of energy efficiency so we need to understand what motivates people to accept and use retrofit technology. Tenants play a vital role in ensuring retrofit works.

"Improvements won’t make the target savings on their own and this research shows that the sector must work harder to link behaviour change and fuel bill savings."

www.procurementforhousing.co.uk/news/116/108/Successful_retrofit_must_include_more_choice_and_support_for_tenants_