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Property buyers in the London Borough of Bromley could soon find that their mortgage options are restricted if they are trying to purchase a house that is considered ‘non-energy efficient’, that’s if one industry experts advice is heeded.

Andrew Leech, the director of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), has called on the government to restrict finance options available if a buyer is trying to purchase a home that is wasteful of its energy.  He believes that this would lead to more homeowners taking action upon their properties.

His idea is that you “...won’t get a mortgage unless you are planning to increase the efficiency of the house by another 50 per cent”, and he advises that he believes the beginnings of such a system are “...just around the corner”.

Bromley itself has a number of properties dating from the late 1800’s through to the 1930’s, some of which will be affected  by any action taken in this way, but Bromley Council do offer a number of schemes for people worried that this may affect them, these include:

• Boiler Scrappage Scheme
• Clean Energy Cashback (Feed in tariffs)
• Discounted Insulation Scheme - London Warm Zone
• Energy Audit and Advice - Green Homes Concierge Service
• Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre for London
• Heating and Insulation Grant - Coldbusters
• Heating and insulation grant - Warm front
• Insulation Discount Schemes - Energy Suppliers
• Mayor of London's 'Do-it-yourself' Insulation Kit
• Renewable energy grants - low carbon buildings programme
• Warm Front £300 Heating Rebate Scheme

The government has strict targets in place for carbon reduction and these need to be met by 2050.  Andrew Leech advises that this means that at least fifty thousand homes a year need to undergo upgrades to their energy efficiency.