THE Scottish Government is failing in its duty to make landlords aware of new energy efficiency laws coming into force early next year, it has been claimed.
The National Landlords' Association (NLA) Scotland said many landlords could face heavy fines unless more is done to raise awareness of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
Designed to give tenants details of the energy efficiency and environme
ntal impact of a property, EPCs will bring Scotland in line with EU regulations coming into force on 4 January.
They will be required with Home Reports, being introduced for residential property sales on 1 December, and on a standalone basis with rental properties from 4 January.
From that date landlords will be required to make an EPC available to tenants at the outset of a new tenancy. Any landlord who does not provide an EPC will be guilty of committing a criminal offence and could incur a fine of up to £5,000.
But Jim Parker, chairman of NLA Scotland, said the Scottish Government had failed to make landlords aware of the new regulations. "The promotion of EPCs seems to have been left to the commercial providers and a significant number of landlords will be blissfully unaware of the risks of not complying with the new rules," he said.
Vincenzo Rampulla, public affairs officer for NLA Scotland, called for the Scottish Government to launch a consumer-focused campaign targeting landlords and tenants to explain what they need to do and when they need to have done it by.
Rampulla also urged local authorities to use the information available from the Scottish landlords registration scheme to target landlords directly to ensure they understand what is expected of them.
"The Scottish Government should not be taking a risk with EPC legislation," Rampulla warned. "Without proper promotion it could come into force with nobody knowing what they are supposed to do. We can't leave it to chance that landlords and tenants find out about EPCs by browsing the internet."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said it had run a series of seminars and provided a range of information on EPCs on its website and that leaflets had been distributed widely.
"In addition, nearly 4,500 advice letters have been sent to those in the property industry, including solicitors and estate agents that look after the interests of private landlords. Penalties of £5,000 will only occur if a building owner willfully refuses to obtain an EPC."
For more information on EPCs and a list of accredited providers, contact Scottish Building Standards on 01506 600 400 or visit www.sbsa.gov.uk.
The full article contains 438 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
