SOUTH Somerset District Council is offering zero per cent Bulk Buy Fuel Loans to homeowners, social tenants and private tenants to help people living in off-gas properties. 

The council is working on the initiative in partnership with Lendology CIC, a social enterprise lender. 

These loans can help with the current energy crisis that is impacting everyone along with the rising cost of living.

Lendology, which is passionate about tackling fuel poverty, will provide finance to a wide range of people, including those who may be excluded from mainstream finance providers.

The loan can be used to purchase oil, gas, wood or other bulk buy fuel sources and is repayable over six to 12 months. 

Lendology encourages people to save alongside the loan where possible to create resilience in paying for the next bulk purchase and to use local bulk buy schemes to save money.

Councillor Sarah Dyke, portfolio holder for environment at South Somerset District Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our partners Lendology to offer interest free finance to South Somerset residents, to help spread the cost of heating their homes with bulk fuels.

“We also encourage residents to make sure their homes are as energy efficient as possible to reduce heat loss. 

“Help and advice, including checks for grant viability such as the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme, for insulation and alternative sources of heating, can be found on our South Somerset Environment website here.”

Emma Lower, CEO at Lendology, said: “With approximately one in six houses being off-gas across the UK, bulk buying home heating fuel is a challenge that is faced by so many households. 

"Our Renewable Energy Loans are available to support homeowners to de-carbonise their homes by moving to more sustainable heating solutions, however this may not be a feasible option for everyone, and so bulk buying fuel is a requirement.

"Finding the funding upfront can be challenging, especially for people who have only just moved into an off-gas home and have been unable to prepare for the cost of this purchase”.     

For more information, visit www.lendology.org.uk or call Lendology on 01823 461099.