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Home Energy Conservation Act 1995

1995 CHAPTER 10

An Act to make provision for the drawing up of local energy conservation reports in relation to residential accommodation; to give the Secretary of State functions in connection therewith; and for related purposes.

[28th June 1995]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Interpretation.

( 1 ) In this Act—

(aa) a house in multiple occupation, that is—

(i) in England and Wales, a house in multiple occupation as defined by sections 254 to 259 of the Housing Act 2004, as they have effect for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act (that is, without the exclusions contained in Schedule 14 to that Act),

(ii) in Scotland, an HMO (within the meaning of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1)) which requires to be licensed under Part 5 of that Act , and

(iii) in Northern Ireland, a house in multiple occupation as defined by section 1 of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 , or

(ab) a house-boat, that is, a boat or other floating decked structure—

(i) designed or adapted for use solely as a place of permanent habitation, and

(ii) not having means of, or capable of being readily adapted for, self-propulsion,

which, in the case of a house-boat in England and Wales or Northern Ireland , is a dwelling for the purposes of Part I of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, or , in the case of a house-boat in Northern Ireland, is a dwelling-house for the purposes of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, or

(b) a mobile home, that is—

(i) in England and Wales or Scotland, a caravan within the meaning of Part I of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960(disregarding the amendment made by section 13(2) of the Caravan Sites Act 1968) which is a dwelling for the purposes of Part I or II of the Local Government Finance Act 1992,

(ii) in Northern Ireland, a caravan within the meaning of the Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963 which is a dwelling-house for the purposes of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.

(2) Any reference in this Act to the area of an energy conservation authority is—

(a) in the case of a local housing authority in England and Wales, to the area of that authority within the meaning of the Housing Act 1985,

(b) in the case of a local authority in Scotland, to the area of that authority, and

(c) in the case of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, to Northern Ireland.

2 Energy conservation reports.

(1) Subject to subsection (7), it shall be the duty of every energy conservation authority to prepare a report in accordance with this section.

(2) The report shall set out energy conservation measures that the authority considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in significant improvement in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in its area.

(3) The report shall include—

(a) an assessment of the cost of the energy conservation measures set out in it;

(b) an assessment of the extent to which carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere would be decreased as a result of those measures; and

(c) a statement of any policy of the authority for taking into account, in deciding whether to exercise any power in connection with those measures, the personal circumstances of any person.

Nothing in this subsection shall be taken as requiring the authority to set out in the report energy conservation measures to be taken in relation to any particular dwelling or building.

(4) The report may, if the energy conservation authority considers it desirable, include—

(a) an assessment of the extent of decreases in emissions into the atmosphere of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide which would result from the implementation of the measures set out in the report;

(b) an assessment of the number of jobs which would result from the implementation of those measures;

(c) an assessment of the average savings in fuel bills and in kilowatt hours of fuel used that might be expected to result from the measures by different types of household in different types of accommodation;

(d) such other matters as it considers appropriate.

(5) An energy conservation authority may in preparing the report consult such persons as it considers appropriate.

(6) When an energy conservation authority has prepared a report in accordance with this section, it shall publish it and send a copy to the Secretary of State.

(7) An energy conservation authority may prepare a report on houses in multiple occupation or house-boats which is separate from the report on other residential accommodation.

3 Functions of the Secretary of State in relation to reports.

(1) The Secretary of State shall give directions as to the date by which reports under section 2 are to be sent to him by energy conservation authorities.

The directions may set different dates for different authorities, different descriptions of authority and different areas ; and may set different dates for reports on houses in multiple occupation or house-boats or reports on other residential accomodation.

( 2 ) Where the Secretary of State has received a report under section 2 from an energy conservation authority, and it appears to him that the report has been duly prepared in accordance with this Act, he shall—

(a) notify the authority of a timetable in accordance with which the authority shall prepare, publish and send to the Secretary of State reports on the progress made in implementing the measures set out in the report, and

(b) take such steps as he considers desirable in order to assist with and to encourage other persons to assist with the measures set out in any such report.

(3) The Secretary of State may vary any timetable set by him under subsection (2).

(4) The Secretary of State shall from time to time prepare a report on—

(a) the progress made by energy conservation authorities in implementing the measures set out in reports prepared under section 2, and

(b) any steps he has taken pursuant to subsection (2)(b) above,

and shall lay any such report before Parliament.

4 Guidance by the Secretary of State.

(1) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, give to energy conservation authorities such guidance as he considers appropriate in relation to the preparation of reports under section 2 or reports under section 3(2)(a).

(2) The Secretary of State may, in particular, give guidance as to what improvements in energy efficiency are to be regarded as significant.

(3) An energy conservation authority shall have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State under this section.

5 Modification of report and further reports.

(1) An energy conservation authority may, and if so directed by the Secretary of State shall—

(a) modify the report prepared under section 2; or

(b) prepare further reports setting out additional or modified energy conservation measures.

(2) The provisions of subsections (2) to (6) of section 2, subsections (2) to (4) of section 3, section 4 and subsection (1) of this section apply in relation to any such modified or further report.

6 Supplementary provisions.

(1) Nothing in this Act shall be taken as conferring—

(a) any power to make grants or loans;

(b) any power of entry; or

(c) any power to carry out works, or require any person to carry out works.

(2) Nothing in this Act requires an energy conservation authority to inspect any premises or requires any person to give any information to an energy conservation authority.

7 Expenses.

There shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament—

(a) any expenses of the Secretary of State under this Act; and

(b) any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of such moneys under any other Act.

8 Northern Ireland.

(1) This Act extends to Northern Ireland.

(2) In the application of this Act to Northern Ireland—

(a) the references to the Secretary of State (except in section 7) shall be construed as references to the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland;

(b) the reference in section 3(4) to laying before Parliament shall be construed as a reference to laying before the Northern Ireland Assembly; and

(c) the reference in section 9(2) to an order made by statutory instrument shall be construed as a reference to an order which is a statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.

9 Citation and commencement.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

( 2 ) This Act shall come into force on such day as may be appointed by order made by statutory instrument by the Secretary of State.

(3) Different days may be appointed under subsection (2) for different purposes, different energy conservation authorities, different descriptions of energy conservation authority and different areas.

Status: Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (1995/10)

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Status of this instrument

footnotecommentarytransitional and savingsin force statusrelated provisionsgeo extentinsert/omitsource countin force adj
C1Act: transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672 , art. 2 , Sch. 1
C2Act restricted (W.) (21.3.2012) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16) , ss. 118(1)(b) , 121(1) ; S.I. 2012/873 , art. 2(c)
C3Power to amend s. 2 conferred by 1996 c. 38 , s. 2(3) (in force (S.) (1.12.1996) by 1996/2796, art. 2; and (N.I.) (5.12.1996) by S.R. 1996/559 , art. 2 ; and (E.W.) (14.1.1997 for specified provisions, otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 2 ).
C4S. 2 excluded (E.W.) (1.2.2005) by Local Authorities' Plans and Strategies (Disapplication) (England) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/157) , arts. 1 , 4(1)
C5Power to amend s. 3 conferred by 1996 c. 38 , s. 2(3) (in force (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2796 , art. 2 ; and (N.I) (5.12.1996) by S.R. 1996/559 , art. 2 ; and (E.W.) (14.1.1997 for specified provisions, otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 2 ).
C6S. 3(2) excluded (E.W.) (1.2.2005) by Local Authorities' Plans and Strategies (Disapplication) (England) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/157) , arts. 1 , 4(2)
C7Power to amend s. 4 conferred by 1996 c. 38 , s. 2(3) (in force (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2796 , art. 2 ; and (N.I) (5.12.1996) by S.R. 1996/559 , art. 2 ; and (E.W.) (14.1.1997 for specified provisions, otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 2 ).
C8S. 5 restricted (E.W.) (1.2.2005) by Local Authorities' Plans and Strategies (Disapplication) (England) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/157) , arts. 1 , 4(1)
F1Act ceased to have effect (S.) (21.3.2012) by virtue of Energy Act 2011 (c. 16) , ss. 118(1)(a) , 121(1) ; S.I. 2012/873 , art. 2(c): Scotland
F2Words in definition of “energy conservation measures” in s. 1(1) inserted (21.3.2012) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16) , ss. 118(2) , 121(1) ; S.I. 2012/873 , art. 2(c)inserted
F3S. 1(1): paras. (aa) and (ab) in definition of “residential accommodation” inserted by 1996 c. 38 , s. 1(2) (in force (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2796 , art. 2 ; and (N.I.) (5.12.1996) by S.R. 1996/559 , art. 2 ; and (E.W.) (14.1.1997 for specified provisions, otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 2 ).inserted: England and Walesinserted
F4Para (aa)(i) of the definition of “residential accommodation” in s. 1(1) substituted (6.4.2006 for E., 16.6.2006 for W.) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34) , s. 270(4) (5)(f) , Sch. 15 para. 38 ; S.I. 2006/1060 , art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch. ); S.I. 2006/1535 , art. 2(b) (with Sch. )this amendment (text substituted) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.substituted: Englandsubstituted
F5Words in paragraph (aa)(ii) of the definition of “residential accommodation” in s. 1(1) substituted (31.8.2011) by Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1) , s. 195(3) , Sch. 6 para. 18 (with s. 193 ); S.S.I. 2010/159 , art. 3this amendment (text substituted) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.substituted
F6Words in s. 1(1) substituted (1.4.2019) by Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 22) , s. 90(2) , Sch. 7 para. 4 ; S.R. 2019/39 , art. 2 (with art. 3 )this amendment (text substituted) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.substituted
F7Words in s. 1(ab) in definition of “residential accommodation” repealed (N.I.) (11.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/659 (N.I. 3) , art. 8(1)(a)repealed: Northern Irelandrepealed
F8Words in s. 1(ab) in definition of “residential accommodation” substituted (N.I.) (11.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/659 (N.I. 3) , art. 8(1)(b)substituted: Northern Irelandsubstituted
F9Words in s. 2(1) inserted (E.W.) (13.1.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 3(2)(a) .inserted: England and Walesinserted
F10S. 2(7) inserted (E.W.) (13.1.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 3(2)(b) .inserted: England and Walesinserted
F11Words in s. 3(1) inserted (E.W.) (13.1.1997) by S.I. 1997/47 , art. 2 .inserted: England and Walesinserted
I1S. 1 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 1 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 9(2); s. 1 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art. 2: England
I2S. 2 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 2 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I3S. 3 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 3 in force (E.) (15.1.1996 for subsection (1) otherwise 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.1.1996 for subsection (1) otherwise 1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 and (W.) (10.1.1997 for subsection (1) otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I4S. 4 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 4 in force (E.) (15.1.1996 for subsections (1) and (2) otherwise 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.1.1996 for subsections (1) and (2) otherwise 1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (10.1.1997 for subsections (1) and (2) otherwise 1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I5S. 5 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 5 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I6S. 6 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 6 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I7S. 7 wholly in force 1.4.1997: s. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 7 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I8S. 8 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 8 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
I9S. 9 wholly in force at 1.4.1997: s. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 9(2); s. 9 in force (E.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/3340 , arts. 2 , 3 ; and (N.I.) (1.4.1996) by S.R. 1995/455 , art. 2 ; and (S.) (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2797 , art. 2 ; and (W.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/3181 , art 2 .: England
M11985 c. 68 .
M21987 c. 26 .
M31960 c. 62 .
M41968 c. 52 .
M51992 c. 14 .
M61963 c. 17 (N.I.) .
M7S.I. 1977/2157 (N.I. 28) .
M81985 c. 68 .
M9S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12) .
P1S. 9(2) power fully exercised at 17.12.1996:
Defined TermSection/ArticleIDScope of Application
energy conservation authoritys. 1legTermqztQEtTN
energy conservation measuress. 1legTermUR7XzZqq
residential accommodations. 1legTermhGT0PFkj
Changes that affect Made by
Sort descending by Changed Legislation Sort descending by Year and Number Changed Provision Type of effect Sort descending by Affecting Legislation Title Sort descending by Year and Number Affecting Provision Sort descending by Changes made to website text Note
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 1995 c. 10 Act Appointed day(s) for spec. provns. (15.1.1996) (1.4.1996) (EW) The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (Commencement No. 2) (England) Order 1995 1995 No. 3340 art. 2 Yes
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 1995 c. 10 Act Appointed day (1.12.1996) The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (Commencement No. 3) (Scotland) Order 1996 1996 No. 2797 art. 2 Yes
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 1995 c. 10 Act Appointed day (W) (1.4.1997) The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (Commencement No. 4) (Wales) Order 1996 1996 No. 3181 arts. 2(1) 3 Yes
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 1995 c. 10 Act Appointed day(s) for s.003(1), 4(1)(2) (W) (10.1.1997) The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (Commencement No. 4) (Wales) Order 1996 1996 No. 3181 arts. 2(2) 3 Yes
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 1995 c. 10 Commencement Order The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 1995 1995 No. 455 Yes

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