A Local Authority Has Taken Enforcement Action…
A Local Authority Has Taken Enforcement Action…. against more than 550 privately rented homes with the lowest energy performance ratings, issuing fines of up to £5,000.
Wandsworth Council says it has written to over 150 landlords whose properties fall below the minimum legal energy-efficiency requirements. Under current regulations, homes rated EPC F or G cannot be legally let unless the landlord has registered a valid exemption.
Enforcement action underway
So far, the council has handed out five separate £5,000 penalties to landlords who failed to meet the required standards.
In one instance, a landlord in Balham was fined after disregarding a formal compliance notice and failing to register an exemption.
In another case, a property in Battersea was being rented with an EPC rating of G. After council involvement, managing agents arranged for roof insulation to be installed. While the agents maintained that certain upgrades — including replacing the boiler, were the tenant’s responsibility under a regulated tenancy agreement, the council still imposed a £4,000 fine for breaching energy-efficiency rules. That penalty has since been paid.
A subsequent inspection confirmed that insulation had been fitted above the primary living areas of the home.
Improving standards across the borough
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for housing, said enforcement activity is already delivering tangible benefits for residents who have been living in poorly insulated properties.
He stated that tenants should not be occupying homes that fail to meet basic legal energy standards. He added that decisive action against non-compliant landlords not only improves living conditions but also supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions locally. The council intends to continue taking a proactive, evidence-led approach to ensure landlords meet their obligations.
Looking ahead
The announcement comes shortly after the government confirmed plans for all privately rented homes to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2030. However, a recent consultation acknowledged that stricter energy standards could result in some landlords choosing to sell their properties or raise rents to cover compliance costs.