A council in a largely-rural area of Suffolk is the latest to have won additional funding to push landlords into making their properties increasingly energy-efficient.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council is one of a number in the county to have secured a total of £248,282 in funding from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The council says the money will support “innovative measures including local radio ads, roadshows and workshops with landlords to raise awareness of the rules, free property surveys, as well as enhanced and targeted mail reminders and translation services to reach those not currently complying.”

Councillor Andy Drummond says: “[The money] will develop our existing work of targeting landlords who do not care that their properties are cold and damp. This makes for unpleasant and unhealthy conditions for their tenants.

“The project’s messages will focus on the law, the climate emergency and the help available to improve poor performing properties. Our councils will continue to work closely together, combining education with enforcement, appropriately and consistently. 

“Where enforcement is necessary and leads to fines, they will be pooled to continue the project work after March 2022.”

Since April last year privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of Energy Performance Certificate Band E, making it illegal to rent out homes below that unless landlords have a limited exemption. 

Landlords caught failing to fulfil their obligations can be fined of up to £5,000 per property and per breach.