RESIDENTS are warned to be on their guard against cold callers posing as council officials offering home insulation.

Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils have received a spate of complaints from householders who have been approached by a North-East company purporting to be working on behalf of the authorities to fit free insulation.

But only businesses working through the Yorkshire Energy Partnership are used by the councils for the free initiative it is running, to guarantee the work will be of good quality.

“The scheme we run through the Yorkshire Energy Partnership does not involve cold calling,” said Mark Robson, housing delivery and improvement team manager.

“We are delivering letters and leaflets around the district explaining the scheme - and householders themselves contact the partnership.

“So anyone who is called or visited by a company purporting to be representing the councils should not be taken in by their false claims.

“They may be able to do the insulation work but they may not be an accredited installer - they may fit insulation where it is inappropriate to do so, or do a poor quality job causing problems later.”

Free cavity wall and loft insulation, including top-ups to the recommended 27cm depth, is available to all private householders, including landlords and tenants.

There are also grants for other types of insulation.

For more information contact Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904-554406 and quote ‘Wrapping up Yorkshire’.