Landlords urged to ensure property meets energy efficiency standards
Private sector landlords in Bath & North East Somerset are being warned to check that their rental property meets the legal minimum energy efficiency standard, or they could risk a fine of up to £5000 per property. Bath and North East Somerset council is responsible for enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations and a new campaign will see trading standards officers and housing services working together to identify domestic properties in B&NES that do not have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least band E. A policy for the enforcement of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property in England And Wales) Regulations 2015, which would give the council the power to issue financial penalties is being recommended in a report to cabinet member for planning, Councillor Tim Ball. If approved, the compliance and enforcement project will require landlords who let out private sector domestic accommodation that is below the legal minimum rating to make property improvements and bring the homes up to a rating of at least E or face a fine of up to £5000 per property. 30
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning and Licensing, said: “The council is committed to improving the health and well-being of its residents by reducing the number of people living in cold and damp conditions in homes that are hard to heat and expensive to run. “The private rented sector makes up 27% of the Bath and North East Somerset housing stock and although the majority meet the current legal minimum energy efficiency standard, we need to identify those which do not and ensure energy efficiency improvements take place. This proposed project will also reduce carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency of those homes. “I welcome the report as it sets out a policy for the enforcement of the domestic minimum level of energy efficiency regulations. I will consider it carefully before making my decision.” B&NES landlords may be eligible for grant funding for property improvements. More information can be found on the Energy at Home website: https://www.energyathome. org.uk/contact-us
