Energy Efficiency Enforcement Action Taken - Is this the first of many?
A local authority in Caerphilly in Wales has issued a warning to landlords in the area that they will start to take enforcement action against any landlords who's properties fail to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards.
Caerphilly council officials have been told by the ruling cabinet that they can issue fines to landlords who let properties with an energy rating of F or G; with a fine of up to £5,000. The Energy Efficiency (Privately Rented) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 make it legal for landlords to provide existing, new and future tenants with energy performance certificates of E or above. . or officially protected.
The regulations impose a minimum energy efficiency standard to help reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions. Councilor Shayne Cook, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: “The council has a dedicated team to tackle this issue and support landlords to ensure their homes meet the maximum minimum energy efficiency standards set out in the regulations. “Ensuring the energy efficiency of properties is essential not only to reduce damage to our environment, but also to keep tenants' living costs to a minimum and improve their overall health and well-being.
"I am pleased to say that over 90 per cent of landlords in the county who communicate with our officers are working with us to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Enforcement is a last resort for us as a council, but the approval of this practice is good news, as it provides additional tools for officials to address this issue when needed.