Insurance News Archive

Green MOT for property?

Commercial property owners may have to ensure they implement eco-friendly measures, a new report has suggested.

According to the Foresight Programme, developers and homeowners could see their buildings given MOT-style tests in order to assess their green credentials.

The plans would result in more emphasis being given to putting effective heating and insulation systems in place.

Margaret Beckett, the housing minister, commented the changes could help homeowners and landlords address issues relating to the environment.

She said: "Given our buildings are responsible for almost half of the UK's carbon emissions, we need to be taking action now if we are to succeed in hitting our targets."

Professor John Beddington, the government's chief scientific adviser and director of the Foresight programme, added there needs to be a rethink into how these problems are currently tackled.

Earlier this week, Simon Church, Midlands project officer at eaga, stated at the Birmingham Landlord and Buy-to-Let Show insulating a property can result in a "significant energy saving".

27 Nov 2008