People that wish to renovate their homes will soon be able to get made-to-measure advice on renovation from the Flemish authorities. The launch of a new initiative was announced by the Flemish Energy Minister Melissa Depraetere (socialist) on Tuesday. The aim of the“Mijn VerbouwBegeleiding” initiative is to help and encourage Flemings to renovate their homes. However, the construction industry federation Bouwunie is not pleased with the announcement of the new scheme.
Flemish Energy Minister launches initiative that offers free personalised help with renovations
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Anyone that is considering renovating their home is face with a number of questions. How can I best set about making my home more energy efficient? What is the best way to heat my home and if I opt for that form of heating will I be entitled to a grant?
Currently these questions are answered by the various Flemish Energy Houses. Now the Flemish Energy Minister Melissa Depraetere wants to back up the work that they do with the Mijn VerbouwBegeleiding. A one-stop-shop with information will be created to offer help and assistance to Flemings wishing to renovate their homes.
"Currently, people can already rely on a lot of financial support from initiatives such as ‘Mijn VerbouwPremie’ and the ‘Mijn VerbouwLening’. However, they often don’t know how they can start a project and getting a contractor to do the work often costs much too much. Mijn VerbouwBegeleiding offers guidance during the preparation and the carrying out of renovation work”
“Good for your pocket”
According to Ms Depraetere, the initiative targets middle and low income groups in particular and it is “good for the climate and for your pocket”
Besides individual homeowners, groups that bring together the owners of flats in multi-occupancy buildings can also use the initiative to seek advice on the renovation of the communal areas of their buildings.
Criticism from the construction federation
The construction federation Bouwunie is critical of the scheme. Bouwunie says that it sends out "completely the wrong signal. Who better than a building contractor that is working day in day out on renovation projects to offer advice on how to start and properly execute a project?”, Bouwunie’s Jean-Pierre Waeytens told VRT News.
“Is the minister really calling for contractors to be ignored and all of us to do DIY or resort to using undeclared workers?”
Bouwunie goes on to say that the government would be better off using the money that is to be spent on advice and guidance to offer more and higher levels of financial support. The construction industry federation points out that the level of grants was reduced early this year. “When all is said and done, only cash will convince people to make energy-saving renovations”, Mr Waeytens said.
Mandatory renovation
Anyone buying an energy-inefficient house or flat with an EPC label E or F will have to carry out renovation work to ensure that it is at least label D within six years. According to Ms Depraetere, 35% of homes are currently label E or F.
From 2030, homes with an energy label E or F may no longer be rented out. From 2028, the rent charged for these homes may no longer be increased to match inflation.