Southampton City Council and the Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) are to offer free cavity and wall insulation to the City’s private landlords.

The Council believes the move will be popular with local landlords and tenants. The original scheme started in Bournemouth, where it helped some 700 landlords insulate over 7000 homes. Southampton is hoping to replicate this success and estimates that there are 3000 homes that will benefit. Free insulation will be available from January 2009 until March 2011.

The Council says traditionally it’s been difficult to persuade private landlords to insulate their properties, which are often occupied by vulnerable people and students that find it difficult to manage expensive heating bills. But landlords who apply for this insulation scheme will not be means tested, so more are likely to take up the free offer.

An added incentive for landlords applying in the first year is to get their Energy Performance Certificates at half price: the Council has put aside Ł5000 to do this - on a first come first serve basis.

This Ł1.8m programme by Southampton City Council became possible through joint funding of Ł1.5m from DEAC.

“This is a huge investment that will make a real difference to thousands of residents, many of whom are vulnerable people struggling to heat their homes,” said Cllr Jeremy Moulton, Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning. “By insulating homes for free we will ensure that fuels bills are cut. As well as keeping people warm it is great news for the environment.”