Council to crackdown on landlords with poor EPC ratings

Council to crackdown on landlords with poor EPC ratings

9:43 AM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago 18

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Landlords in one city who rent out homes that don’t meet energy efficiency standards and fail electrical safety rules will face fines.

The council says that homes with low EPC ratings take longer to warm up and lose heat quicker, meaning energy bills can be higher and residents are exposed to cold-related illnesses.

Gloucester City Council says fines will be imposed on ALL rented properties failing to meet energy efficiency standards in the city – and those that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below E.

Around 30% of all its homes are rented and the new rules will be enforced by the council’s private sector housing team.

‘Poor housing can have a huge effect on people’s lives’

Gloucester’s cabinet member for planning and housing strategy, Councillor Stephanie Chambers, said: “Poor housing can have a huge effect on people’s lives and can severely affect their health.

“While the majority of landlords maintain their properties, there is a small minority who think that the rules don’t apply to them.

“We hope that this will send a message that not meeting the regulations could cost you a lot more in the long run so now is the time to act.”

Landlords whose properties fail electrical safety standards

Also, landlords whose properties fail electrical safety standards could be fined up to £30,000.

And those who don’t install sufficient carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, could be fined up to £5,000.

Plus, the option for landlords wanting to pay a lower financial penalty when paying early is being removed.

Landlords who fail to manage HMO properties correctly

In addition, Gloucester says that its plans will see landlords who fail to manage HMO properties correctly not being handed HMO licenses of five years.

Instead, they will get shorter 12-month HMO licences.

Gloucester says it is supporting landlords through its Landlord Incentive Scheme which matches landlords and prospective tenants and assists them throughout the tenancy.

Its Private Sector Housing service (PSH) works to protect residents affected by low quality housing, poor property management and the minority of landlords who don’t look after their properties.

The council says it works to educate landlords about their housing responsibilities and can provide advice and support but can also act through the courts as a last resort when necessary.


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

17:01 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 13/03/2024 - 10:14if in doubt look up the EPC on line for the property addresses you are talking about. If there isn't one or it has expired, report this to the council (oh the irony!) and state that they themselves may be in breach of the regulations unless they can confirm otherwise to you AND provide evidence of the same
This way they have to 1. Formally respond to you.
2. Give reason as to why they ARE compliant and provide evidence of the same.

If they cannot raise a formal complaint to the Council and then if they still cannot do this, raise issue with the Ombudsman.

If they are in breach, then report them - again to the Council Enforcement department and copy in the MP!

SimonP

17:04 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

"fines will be imposed on ALL rented properties , , , that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below E"

Since there are no landlords renting out properties with an EPC rating below E, as that would be illegal in itself, that statement is garbage.

This is utter nonsense. What about the private sector? Get EVERY home to comply not just rentals. Talk about discrimination.

Cider Drinker

17:07 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

In other words, ‘Council to start doing their job’.

About time.

Cider Drinker

17:16 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Just because an EPC is not visible on the EPC Finder website doesn’t mean that there isn’t a valid EPC for a property. Property owners can request to remove their properties from the register.

Jim K

21:57 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 13/03/2024 - 17:16
Interesting.
How please

MARK MAYNARD

22:57 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 13/03/2024 - 09:53
I wonder if we can fine the council for there non compliance?

Sheralyne Stamp

8:49 AM, 14th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by MARK MAYNARD at 13/03/2024 - 22:57
This was my point, however it would be the council whom we complain too so no joy there.

Judith Wordsworth

9:27 AM, 16th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 13/03/2024 - 14:10
But if the same tenant is there 12 years later the EPC does not need renewing, same applies to PRS property. Only needs renewing if getting a new tenant or new tenancy agreement. Possibly if rolling onto a statutory periodic but that has not, I don’t think, been ruled on by the courts

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