Wandsworth Council cracks down on cold and inefficient rental homes

The council is targeting more than 550 privately rented properties currently rated EPC band F or G, levels that make it unlawful for landlords to let them under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2015 (as amended).

Landlords who fail to comply with MEES requirements face financial penalties of up to £5,000, alongside publication penalties for serious breaches.

Since the crackdown began, officers have contacted more than 150 landlords to begin compliance checks, issued five financial penalties in Wandsworth, and seen a marked increase in landlords taking action to improve their properties.

One property in Battersea was originally let with a G‑rated EPC, far below the legal minimum. Following intervention from the council, managing agents installed roof insulation. Although the agents initially argued that improvements, such as installing a boiler, were the tenant’s responsibility due to the regulated tenancy, the council issued a £4,000 penalty for non‑compliance. The fine has since been paid by the landlord.

A follow‑up compliance visit confirmed that insulation had been installed above the main living areas. The tenant reported being “very happy” with the improvements and said the living room now stays warmer during colder months.

Another property in Balham resulted in the maximum £5,000 penalty after the landlord failed to respond to a compliance notice and did not complete the required works or register a valid exemption within the specified timeframe.

Upgrading a property from EPC band G to E can deliver carbon savings of around 20 to 30 per cent. With hundreds of improvements expected across Wandsworth, the initiative is set to deliver substantial environmental benefits while helping tenants live in warmer, healthier homes. This also means that energy costs will decrease, making homes more affordable to heat during the colder months.

Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“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.

“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.”