Councillor Clare Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented the report which sought approval for the new proposed Civil Penalty Policy, which would enable the Council to enforce the Statutory duty. It was noted that the Regulations are designed to tackle the least energy-efficient properties, establishing a minimum standard of EPC band E for domestic private rented properties.
Decision:
To approve and implement the Civil (Financial) Penalty Policy, to allow officers to impose fines where necessary to landlords and improve the energy efficiency standards of Private Rented Properties.
Reasons for the decision:
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 establish a minimum standard of EPC band E for domestic private rented properties, affecting new tenancies and renewals since 1 April 2018. The Regulations now applies to all
properties in scope from 1 April 2020. To enable the Council to enforce this Statutory duty, there is a requirement to publish a Civil Penalty Policy.
Other options considered and rejected:
None, the policy relates to a statutory duty.