potential issues with the SEI Home Energy Scheme

podge3

I recently applied for a grant under the SEI HomeEnergy Saving Scheme. I chose a contractor from the list that they provided and they send me out the application form with that contractors name on it.

I got the work done and submitted the application form to the SEI. It has just been returned to me because

"The contractor was not actively registered on the HES scheme at the time of signing the DOW. We cannot process the DOW form until the contractor is actively registered on the HES scheme again and shows evidence of compliance with the schemes rules regarding Tax Clearance certificate and insurance cover at all times"

This is a complete joke - I chose the contractor from their list :mad:. I'm now down €500. Does any organ of the government in this sorry country of ours work in a competent fashion?

Be very very wary of this scheme.

muffler

Im sorry to hear that you are out of pocket but perhaps you should be talking to the contractor about this.

Tax clearance certs and insurance for example have to be renewed annually so while his name could have been on the list when you applied he may not (obviously didn't) have fulfilled his obligations and by the time the works were done he wasnt compliant with the SEI requirements.

He obviously knew fine well what his situation was so I wouldn't be too quick to apportion blame in the wrong.

podge3

muffler wrote: »

Im sorry to hear that you are out of pocket but perhaps you should be talking to the contractor about this.

Tax clearance certs and insurance for example have to be renewed annually so while his name could have been on the list when you applied he may not (obviously didn't) have fulfilled his obligations and by the time the works were done he wasnt compliant with the SEI requirements.

He obviously knew fine well what his situation was so I wouldn't be too quick to apportion blame in the wrong.

I will be contacting the contractor about this but I doubt I'll get anywhere.

I got the application form from SEI in mid march and returned it about 5 weeks later. I didn't ask if the contractor was tax compliant or insured at the time of the work being done. I doubt many people would.

Obviously I have learned a valuable lesson here but I think the SEI should issue guidelines about checking for tax compliance.

muffler

podge3 wrote: »

but I think the SEI should issue guidelines about checking for tax compliance.

I couldn't agree more. In fact they should make it compulsory that contractors produce these documents to the clients prior to commencing works.

morning delight

podge3 wrote: »

I will be contacting the contractor about this but I doubt I'll get anywhere.

I got the application form from SEI in mid march and returned it about 5 weeks later. I didn't ask if the contractor was tax compliant or insured at the time of the work being done. I doubt many people would.

Obviously I have learned a valuable lesson here but I think the SEI should issue guidelines about checking for tax compliance.

Given what you outline, the SEI sent you the form with the contractor's name on it. Only 5 weeks later you're not to know he has been removed for what ever reason. Get your local councillor and/ or TD involved. That's what they're elected and paid for; local representation.

Kristopherus

muffler wrote: »

I couldn't agree more. In fact they should make it compulsory that contractors produce these documents to the clients prior to commencing works.

I dont think as private individual has the right to ask any contractor whether he is tax compliant or not. It should be SEI who should be ensuring that as it is them that are providing the taxpayer's money to assist the customer. And SEI should also provide that info to the customer andupdating the customer where necessary.

slavetothegrind

So if the contractors insurance falls due for renewal mid job and he fails to do so you are out of pocket on the grant?

Can they not have a system where the contractor gets the grant money paid directly to him on completion and inspection by grant authority and kill two birds with one stone, compliance with standards and ensuring no punter is robbed?

...oh no wait ...that would be sensible....:rolleyes:

podge3

Update on this.

I finally got in touch with the contractor and he said its only a small problem with his insurance. It should be sorted out within a week, he claims.

I'm still a bit skeptical but even if it is sorted out, its a ludicrous system. Once the contractor is approved by the SEI, the householder should be paid once the work is completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks for all the replies and fingers crossed.

sydthebeat

ive just changed the title of this thread to better reflect the tone of the posts....

muffler

Hope it works out for you

Deoir

This happens a lot with the SE(A)I

An installer will be automatically removed from the list when some piece of paperwork (and there's a lot) is out of date.

The installer will get a letter from the SE(A)I but it takes time for the proper paperwork to be arranged again and it's common for a customer gets a letter like this in the mean time.

It isn't a big issue really, the installer will sort his paperwork, send everything off again and the grant will be paid.

(I worked in renewables for 3 years and dealt with installers and the SE(A)I on a regular basis)