WinteR 2017 Round-up landlords must bear meeS in mind The long, dark winter months often have people dreaming of spring but the new season could be a nightmare for landlords if they dont start planning for new energy efficiency regulations. From 1 April 2018, the Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) come into force in England and Wales. They will ban the renting out of residential and commercial properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G. round-uP Complying with MEES is not the only legal requirement of landlords, however, and you need to make sure you are up to date with all the rules and regulations attached to renting out property. our Getting letting right article, in the spring 2017 edition of TSBn, offers information and signposting for anyone considering taking on tenants, while safe as houses, in the autumn edition, deals with rental safety checks. Initially, the ban will affect only new tenancies and renewals, but existing tenancies will come within the scope of the regulations from 2020. Credit: nick Harrison Image: iStock.com / SusanneB take 5 With all the office festivities at this time of year, it would be all too easy to take your eye off the ball when it comes financial fraud. But fraudsters are using ever more sophisticated methods to scam people and businesses, so its vital you stay alert to them. in past editions of TSBN, we have reported cyber attacks on business and how you can ensure your business is protected. Fraudsters take time to research their victims, so take 5 minutes to make sure youre in the know about how to avoid fraud and scams. lenS SenSe Christmas is coming and, with it, the chance for us all to don our glad rags and get in the party spirit. For some, this will mean using cosmetic contact lenses to finish off that killer look, or to add authenticity to a seasonal fancydress outfit. But the health risks of buying lenses from non-optical outlets such as novelty shops or market stalls has been hitting the headlines again after being featured in the last edition of TsBn. the law states that contact lenses must be dispensed under the supervision of a registered optometrist, a dispensing optician or a medical practitioner. however, cosmetic contact lenses are often made and distributed on a one size fits all basis, and lack instructions on how to safely use them. as a result, they can cause nasty infections and scratches to users eyes. if you are considering selling cosmetic contact lenses in the run-up to Christmas and the new year, click here for further information and to learn more about the general optical Councils proposed voluntary code of practice for contact lens retailers. Credit: nick Harrison Image: istock / tderden For further information, please contact your local trading Standards Service