RLA News Service

According to a report in the Scotsman, a large number of residential landlords in Edinburgh may soon have to pay £500 in fines each, for failing to comply with new energy efficiency regulations introduced across Britain. While there are almost certainly landlords across the United Kingdom who have yet to comply and provide their tenants with energy efficiency certificates, the number in Edinburgh is believed to be especially high, with only around 1,000 residential rental properties in compliance thus far. This means that a majority of landlords in the city may be required to pay fines imposed by the municipal council.

The one saving grace for landlords in Edinburgh, however, is that it is unlikely that any such fines will be issued until 31 March 2009 and as such, there is still extra time for energy assessments and obtaining Energy Efficiency Certificates (EPC). Edinburgh’s local council is said to be dealing with a massive backlog of energy-related files and will not address issues of non-compliance until the spring. According to the Scotsman, a total of 6,000 residential properties in the city must still undergo inspection over the course of the next three months, before the final deadline passes.
Energy efficiency certificates may mean extra work for landlords in the short-term, but they will eventually pay off. These certificates give both tenants and landlords precise information on how much it costs to heat rental units and also aims to make more efficient use of energy, in order to lower costs.

Thank you to the Scotsman for the initial report.