Beat the Freeze with Heat Lease ? if you're one of the lucky ones?

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Feb 2004

Lib Dem Councillors Alan Taylor and Andrew Tear (both Harehills), and Ralph Pryke (Burmantofts) are pleased that some Council tenants in East Leeds are able to sign up to the Heat Lease Scheme being offered by Leeds East

Homes*. However, residents in many areas will have to wait before they can feel the benefits of affordable central heating.

Cllr Taylor said "At this time of year the benefits of having central heating are obvious, but the cost of installing it puts a lot of people off. That's why I was delighted when I first heard that Leeds East Homes are teaming up with the Council and British Gas to offer an affordable way of providing central heating for its tenants. I was very disappointed though, when I heard that Leeds East Homes had decided it could only afford to introduce the scheme to 800 homes for the time being."

Cllr Tear said "For a small increase in their rent, those people living in the targeted areas can now have warm, comfortable homes. As well as convenience and warmth, modern central heating boilers are much more efficient ? so people should see their heating bills reduce once its installed. I'd encourage everyone who hasn't already got central heating to sign up to this excellent scheme when they're given the opportunity. I understand that at first Heat Lease will only be available to some households in Boggart Hill, Crossgates and the St Wilfrids area of Gipton, but I'm sure the rest of Leeds East Homes' tenants will jump at the chance when and if they're eventually offered it."

Cllr Pryke added "The cost of central heating often puts off those people who need it most of all ? the elderly and families with small children. This is a way of making it possible for everybody to feel the benefit of warmth in every room. It's absolutely essential that all of Leeds East Homes tenants are given this chance, not just a fortunate few."

*Note: Leeds East Homes will arrange to install central heating in the homes of tenants. However the boiler which powers the system is 'leased' to the resident. That means that there is a small increase in weekly rent. This helps them afford to install the heating in as many homes as possible. The charge is between £3.50 and £4.40 per week. Heat Lease charges are covered by Housing Benefit.