OWNERS of holiday homes across Worcestershire have only a few weeks left to comply with new government legislation aimed at helping fight climate change.

Charity Act on Energy says owners face a fine if they do not take action to show how energy efficient their holiday lets are by the end of June.

The specialist organisation, which gives independent advice on a range of energy efficiency measures, points out that energy performance certificates (EPCs) will be obligatory for holiday homes from that date.

They are the latest buildings to be affected by the measure brought in three years ago.

EPCs were initially aimed at people selling their homes, then at landlords renting out properties on a non-holiday basis. The legislation was aimed at alerting potential occupants of the likely heating costs before they committed to buying or renting, and at encouraging landlords to improve the efficiency of their properties to help reduce climate change.

Now the ruling has been extended to cover all residential properties which are rented out for a total of four months in any 12. David Jullien, chief executive of the local authority and housing association-funded Act on Energy, said: “Initially, the legislation requires the EPC merely to be in place.

“There is no minimum energy efficiency requirement and it’s valid for 10 years.

“But I suspect at some point the Government may bring in a ruling saying holiday homes which don’t reach a minimum standard of efficiency cannot be let out until they are improved.

“It will certainly encourage owners to look at their buildings if they face losing the ability to rent holiday properties.

“This may seem rather draconian now but if the country is to have a stock of dwellings that meet the decent homes standard we really do need to act.”

To book an EPC check or to find out more details visit actonenergy.org.uk or call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.