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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it has been illegal for 3 years to rent a property with an EPC lower than E - once again Councils being quick to take action!
Aye but election time now now so time to SAY they’ll act. But if they do after is another thing.
I agree with you, Tricia. I’m sure we both hope that UK Councils will take swift action on 2 April 2025, when it’s proposed to be illegal to rent out a house or flat unless it’s EPC Grade C. I, and every landlord I do business with, have already got our rental units up to EPC Grade C. It makes sense not to have any energy wasteful units in my portfolio. I’m hoping for fewer competitor landlords in the market in 2025 so I should be able to raise my rents and improve yields.
Well done Martin. The dates is now 2028 for ALL tenancies, not just existing.
The bot hasn't been updated - and its all just propsals anyway.
Good luck with raising your rents if they ban rent increases as they did in Scotland. 👍
One hell of selfish pedigree. Lost control of the energy prices for the People is a major energy inefficiency. Who is responsible for this mismanagement to lead to inflation, only 0.1% to pass recession? EPC Grade C is about life quality, will you be able to improve your quality of life when your pockets are empty. The EPC rating is unjust especially to old buildings. Your comments seem to be happy that other landlords have difficulties to reach EPC C, this seems distasteful and hardly fair when they are trying to make ends meet. You can be assured your business have its limits from what you wish for.
Martin. I hope you don’t choke while clapping yourself on the back.
Less competition means less housing more homeless.
Greedy landlord cherry pickers, leave the rest to us, some good people who can’t afford the current Rent.
I have some arrears of several months, so don’t give this good landlord thing and I have 6 properties EPC rated ’C’ crippling landlords it doesn’t make the Tenants anymore affluent.
I don't think you can blame Martin in his business wise rental strategy. The EPC staged increase has been around for some time. Seling or renovating older properties and upgrading a portfolio to future proof it is a wise move. I suppose he is gloating a bit but I can see where he's coming from and less astute landlords may learn from his strategy! I bet he doesn't have any arrears! I think many Councils, who are responsible for enforcing this requirement will have been preparing to be quick off the mark.
I don't think you can blame Martin in his business wise rental strategy. The EPC staged increase has been around for some time. Seling or renovating older properties and upgrading a portfolio to future proof it is a wise move. I suppose he is gloating a bit but I can see where he's coming from and less astute landlords may learn from his strategy! I bet he doesn't have any arrears! I think many Councils, who are responsible for enforcing this requirement will have been preparing to be quick off the mark.
Ironic as most town halls are inefficient dumps built by architects with issues or just waste as much money as possible
Maybe hire the same people that conduct the EPC's for the Council properties, I am amazed at how well they seem to be rated, despite 100mm of loft insulation, no led lighting, poorly fitted windows etc...
John. I concur with that and from comments on this blog some time back I remember the remarks regarding getting an EPC rated “C” by putting one big piece of plastic over entire windows, making the windows dysfunctional, and the windows were too expensive to replace.
The windows are relatively straight forward to replace whether double or triple glazed, don’t cost that much especially if you have no arrears and avoid substandard installations.
Led lighting seems to make a big difference and is definitely a cheap option
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