## Council fines landlords £5,000 for poor EPC ratings in Wandsworth

Wandsworth Council has taken decisive action against landlords who fail to meet minimum energy efficiency standards by issuing £5,000 fines for properties rated EPC F or G without valid exemptions. More than 150 private landlords have been contacted as part of this enforcement drive, which targets over 550 private rented properties with substandard EPC ratings. Under current government regulations, it is illegal to rent out properties with EPC ratings of F or G unless a valid exemption is registered.

## Enforcement actions and case examples

The council has issued five financial penalties of £5,000 to landlords who did not comply with the EPC regulations. One notable case involved a landlord in Balham who was fined after ignoring a compliance notice and failing to register a valid exemption. Another property in Battersea was initially let with an EPC G rating. Following intervention by the council, managing agents installed roof insulation to improve the property’s energy efficiency. Despite arguments that certain improvements, such as a new boiler, were the tenant’s responsibility under the regulated tenancy, the council imposed a £4,000 penalty for non-compliance, which has since been paid. A follow-up inspection confirmed that insulation had been installed above the main living areas.

## Improving tenant living conditions and reducing carbon emissions

Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for housing, emphasised the impact of the enforcement work: “Our enforcement work is already making a real difference for residents who have been living in cold, inefficient homes for far too long. No one should be renting a property that fails to meet even the basic legal standards for energy efficiency.” He added, “By taking firm action against non‑compliant landlords, we’re not only improving living conditions for tenants but also helping to cut carbon emissions across the borough. This project shows what can be achieved when councils take a proactive, evidence‑led approach, and we will continue to hold landlords to account wherever standards fall short.”

## Context: Government’s EPC C target by 2030

This enforcement activity comes as the government has announced plans requiring all private rented properties to meet EPC C standards by 2030. A recent government consultation on achieving these targets acknowledged potential unintended consequences, including landlords selling properties or increasing rents due to the costs associated with EPC compliance. Landlords and letting agents should be aware of these evolving requirements and the increasing likelihood of local authorities enforcing energy efficiency regulations rigorously.

## What this means for landlords

Landlords in the private rented sector must ensure their properties meet current minimum EPC standards to avoid financial penalties and enforcement action. Registering valid exemptions where applicable is crucial, but proactive improvements to energy efficiency will become increasingly important as the government’s EPC C target approaches. Failure to comply not only risks fines but also impacts tenant welfare and contributes to broader environmental goals.

Suggested internal link anchors
– EPC fines for landlords
– Energy efficiency standards
– Private rented sector regulations
– EPC C compliance 2030
– Landlord enforcement actions
– Tenant living conditions
– Property energy performance
– Wandsworth Council housing policies
– Compliance notices
– Financial penalties for landlords
– Regulated tenancy responsibilities
– Carbon emissions reduction

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/