Landlords in a county in England may be issued with a Compliance Notice as part of a clampdown to improve the energy efficiency of the worst-performing privately rented homes.
From April 2020 it became an offence for landlords of any domestic private rented property to grant a new tenancy or continue to let any property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below E, unless the landlord is exempt.
Shropshire council has been contacting landlords who have properties that do not meet the minimum energy efficient standards, to ensure they make improvements to their properties to reach the minimum rating or direct them to apply for an exemption.
The council is investigating any potential breaches of the MEES regulations, and enforcement action will be considered against landlords that fail to bring their property up to the required standard.
Where it appears a property has been let in breach of the regulations or an invalid exemption has been registered, the council may issue a compliance notice requesting further information.
If a breach is confirmed, the landlord may receive a financial penalty of up to £5,000.
A spokesperson from the council says: “Improving energy efficiency in any property – rented or otherwise – is more important than ever, as we all face higher utility bills.
“Reducing heat loss through better insulation and installing more energy efficient and low carbon heating and lighting will not only help to significantly reduce energy bills, but will also reduce carbon emissions, which is vitally important if we are to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We know most landlords are responsible and are willing to comply with their obligations to ensure tenants have warm homes that are not cold and damp, which will help to improve their health and wellbeing; but we will not hesitate to take action against those landlords who breach the rules.
“Those in breach of the regulations can face a fine of up to £5,000, and I would encourage landlords to ensure their properties comply under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards legislation to avoid formal action and a potential fine.”
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I wonder how many council Properties fail to meet these standards, and how many Council Executives will be prosecuted accordingly?
Another prime example of ‘double standards’.
3 years after it became law! In 2028 the councils will be so busy chasing LLs with EPCs below C they won't have time for anything else!
This is just the beginning , they'll use the epc drivel to take all your money then all your possessions and then your house
They can't if we sell it first
And, in the interests of equality, one would hope that the council is also contacting every homeowner, every housing association and their own housing department to ensure that the EPCs in those properties are also brought into line?
No, why not?
Too many votes at risk if owner occupiers forced to put their hands in their pockets, even although they would be the ones "benefitting" from any "savings" in energy costs.
Better to screw Landlords and hope that tenants vote to show how much they appreciate the "savings".
Landlords votes are unlikely to change since any change would almost certainly be worse!
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