For the last two years Trading Standards, who are the enforcing authority for Energy Performance Certificates have taken very little interest in pursuing non compliance of an EPC. It’s not been a priority and perhaps rightly so with the problems of counterfeit goods etc being harmful to health. With big cuts coming to Local Authority budgets next year will Trading Standards have to become more enterprising about how they raise their operating budgets? Fines for non compliance are based on 12½% of rateable value, the potential fines are not small by any stretch of the imagination.
Trading Standards are facing a cut in their budget. Will they look for an easy income stream to fund their other activities?
Enforcing compliance with Energy Performance Certificates is easy; it can be done without leaving their office, completed by an office junior even. It’s as simple a process as:
• A simple internet search to identify properties being marketed in their area.
• A simple check of the Landmark register via the address will show whether an EPC exists or not.
• A letter to the letting or marketing agent giving 7 days to provide the EPC will flush out those who haven’t got an EPC.
• A simple few minutes processing the paperwork and a prosecution is underway and a big fat fine will be heading to the Trading Standards revenue account.
It’s as easy as ABC. Will it happen? Well I’m not holding my breath because it requires someone with ambition, employed in a Council with an entrepreneurial spirit towards revenue generation.
There could though be a good consultancy role…………now where’s the phone number for my local Green Party councillor.
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