Housing minister Eberhard van der Laan is considering bringing in sanctions for home owners who fail to get a formal certificate outlining how energy efficient their home is, Nos tv reports.

Since 2008, people selling their homes are supposed to have an energy label for their property if it is older than 10 years.
But the ruling has no sanctions attached to it and its widely ignored. The certificate has also been criticised for being too complicated and unclear.
A new system will be introduced in January 2010 and Van der Laan is looking at bringing in sanctions, possibly fines, as well, Nos says.