Another council has revealed it’s won funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to boost the EPCs of properties in the private rental sector.

Since April 2020 privately rented homes must meet a minimum energy performance rating of EPC 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.

Now Bassetlaw council in Nottinghamshire has been awarded £65,000 of government cash and since September has been working with more than 300 private sector landlords and tenants to ensure that their properties meet the minimum requirement – or direct them to apply for an exemption if the costs to make improvements exceed £3,500, the property cannot reach the minimum rating or if the property cannot be let.

A council spokesman says: “Landlords have a legal duty to ensure that their properties meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and through this funding we are ensuring that private sector tenants do not have to live in badly insulated homes.”

“As the price of heating your home continues to increase, we are doing all we can to help tenants who are living in some of the lease energy efficient properties stay warm and save money.

“Meeting these minimum requirements can be as simple as installing thermostatic valves on radiators and changing light fittings to more energy efficient bulbs, or may require more substantial improvements such as loft insulation, double glazing and cavity wall insulation. Should landlords not take the necessary measures needed, we will not hesitate to take action against them.”

The council has also written to landlords whose properties do not have a current EPC to advise them of the current standards.

The council adds that, should it receive a complaint from private tenants in relation to disrepair, it is able to use powers under the Housing Act 2004 HHSRS to force the landlord to undertake works if there are Category 1 hazards which could cause death, permanent paralysis, permanent loss of consciousness, loss of a limb or serious fractures.