DORSET Council has been awarded £98,000 to improve the most poorly insulated rented homes.

The Government cash boost has provided more than £800,000 to authorities across the south west to raise awareness and enforce rules banning landlords renting homes with worst performing energy efficiency ratings.

It will help low-incomes families - saving those living in the least energy efficient homes an average £180 a year on energy bills via upgrades.

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In the last five years more than 700 properties in Dorset have been rented with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is in the lowest two bands (F and G).

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Housing Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: "This funding will help us improve some of the worst energy performing properties in Dorset, making sure that all properties provide safe and legal accommodation for residents.

"Over the next few months landlords with a property with a low energy performance certificate (EPC) score will be contacted by our Housing Standards officers.

"We will give advice, but also take enforcement action if that is what's necessary to improve these homes."

A spokeswoman from Dorset Council confirmed the council has been awarded £98,000 in total.

The enforcement campaign will help more than 9,000 families living in cold and draughty rented properties across the south west, while funding measures such as landlord roadshows and workshops, free property surveys, targeted mailshots and more inspections.

Since April last year privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of EPC Band E, making it illegal to rent out homes below that unless landlords have a limited exemption.

Landlords caught failing to fulfil their obligations can be fined of up to £5,000 per property and per breach.

Badly insulated properties often leave those renting their homes struggling to keep warm and with unfairly high energy bills. The rule change is expected to see energy efficiency upgrades such as loft insulation, double glazing and cavity wall insulation being installed in around 290,000 properties across the country - with an estimated average bill saving of £180 a year for each home.

Dorset Council is also looking at ways that help landlords get free expert advice and check for grants from the council’s Healthy Homes Dorset scheme run by Ridgewater Energy.

This will also help to identify the works necessary to improve their properties, how much they will cost and how much their EPC score will increase.