A federation of charities wants landlords and tenants to get in touch to discuss energy efficiency in private rental properties.
‘Groundwork’ is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK.
A statement from Stoke-on-Trent council, aimed at tenants and landlords, says: “Groundwork West Midlands want to talk with you about the EPC of your property. They offer free, impartial advice and support to help you save energy, reduce your bills, and live in a warmer, more comfortable home.
”They will also contact your landlord and their agent with advice and useful information on what landlords can do to make their rental properties more energy efficient and move them up to an E rating – if they currently have an EPC rating of F or G.
“We would like to encourage landlords to contact Groundwork West Midlands to seek free advice to improve their property portfolio. For help and advice on how to become compliant please contact Groundwork West Midlands.”
Since April 2020, the government has set Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for all private rented housing.
This means landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E unless they have a valid exemption.
The council says its private sector housing team is working with Groundwork West Midlands “to improve the energy efficiency of properties in Stoke on Trent” and a council spokesperson says: “We recognise that rising energy prices affect us all, so it is important that properties are as efficient as possible so that our residents can live safe and healthy lives in warm homes.“
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No doubt the valid exemption will cost so much it'll be economically unviable and you'll have to sell up to the council and then the rules won't apply to them
Oh how I love a democracy !!!
Britain's growth industry - Charities!
Does this not show that instead of more regulation to combat the rogue element what is needed is enforcement? It has been illegal for nearly 3 years to rent out a property with an EPC lower than E & yet there are still properties being rented out.
The tenant groups & LAs are keen on more & more regulation & the good LLs abide by them - and pass cost on to tenants - rogue LLs just ignore them!
Tricia- That was exactly my thought, it means that if ‘ C’ comes in for existing properties in 2028… we have to at least 2031 before anyone even thinks of looking whether we have done anything 👍🏻, I could leave it longer to sell up 💵💵
The Council’s had all the powers they ever needed to deal with any issues for Landlords & Tenants as far back as 1992 and I have that in print.
So they have just wasted 30 years on unnecessary Rules, Regulation’s and laws to achieve what ? a crisis.
They have ignored all those powers simply so they can invent new regs and hold onto their largely pointless jobs.
Enforcement might actually work, so little point in enforcing, better to churn out more regs to justify their jobs and comfy pensions.
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