Caerphilly Council could fine landlords if homes are not energy efficient

Senior councillors have backed plans to fine landlords if their homes are not energy efficient.

Adoption of the enforcement action aims to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector and, as a result, reduce tenants’ energy bills.

A report presented to the council’s cabinet on July 13 stated: “A tenant living in a substandard property could be paying £1,413 extra in energy bills due to the landlord’s unwillingness to meet their legal obligation.”

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

Private landlords are legally obligated to comply with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Caerphilly County Borough Council has now adopted a policy allowing it to fine landlords who don’t.

Homes are given Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and are ranked based on their energy performance. The rankings range from “A” which is peak energy efficiency to “G” which is the least energy efficient home.

The rating is based on factors such as age, layout, heating, lighting, and insulation. If a home falls into categories F or G, then landlords could face a fine.

At the meeting, cabinet member for housing, Cllr Shayne Cook, said enforcement action was “always a last resort”.

Landlords are expected to spend a maximum of £3,500 to better the energy efficiency of the property. If the landlord has spent the maximum and the property continues to rank as an F or G, then they are able to register an exemption.

The council has recently been granted £60,000 from the UK Government towards the enforcement policy. The cabinet was told this was spent on the employment of an Energy Compliance Officer and an Admin Support Officer.

Landlords could be fined if their homes are not energy efficient

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