From Fuel Poverty to Financial Ruin: The Retrofit Dilemma

Refurb and Retrofit - Transformation In Action

About the Guest(s):

Mel Esquerre: Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Mel is a private homeowner and active member of the Living Rent organization. With a vested interest in housing improvements, Mel has recently been involved in a campaign addressing the challenges and complications of the retrofit process initiated by Edinburgh Council.

Laura Dalgetty: Also residing in Edinburgh, Scotland, Laura is a homeowner in the Lochend area and an advocate for housing improvements through the organization Living Rent.
Key Takeaways:

• Complexities of Mandated Retrofits: Insight into how local councils are using Scottish law to enforce retrofits, often leaving homeowners in financially precarious positions.
  
• Mixed Tenure Housing Challenges: Understanding how mixed tenure blocks complicate the decision-making process and why clear communication and resident engagement are critical.
  
• Financial Anxieties and Legalities: The financial burden placed on low-income homeowners and renters due to undefined retrofit costs and the implications of the Tenement Act 2004.
  
• Living Rent's Advocacy: The role of Living Rent in supporting homeowners and tenants, advocating for improved communication, funding support, and private rental tenant protections.
  
• Personal Experiences: Mel and Laura's firsthand accounts highlight the flawed system and the need for a more empathetic, resident-focused approach to housing improvements.
  

Resources:

• Living Rent - An organization advocating for tenants' rights and fair housing policies in Scotland.
  
• Edinburgh Council - Official site providing resources and information on local governmental policies and housing projects.