Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

Key Dates for MEES in England and Wales - Domestic

The key dates below underline when the regulations are being enforced, with the regulation scope expanding over a 5 year period from 2018-2023.

1st April 2016

ALL domestic tenants have the right to request energy efficiency improvements to their properties. This applies to domestic properties let under longer term assured and regulated tenancies. Landlords will be unable to refuse consent to a tenants request to make energy efficiency improvements.

1st April 2018

It is unlawful to grant new leases for residential or commercial property with an EPC rating below an 'E'.

1st April 2019

Where third party funding (ECO, Green Deal, grants etc) is unavailable, domestic landlords must use their own funding to cover the cost of improving their property to EPC band E. This requirement is subject to a spending cap of £3,500 (inclusive of VAT) for each property. The Government's guidance for domestic landlords and local authorities is available to view here >

1st April 2020

The regulation will expand to apply to ALL residential privately rented property which are required to have an EPC.

Non-Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Landlords in the non-domestic/commercial private rented sector will need to act quickly to ensure their properties comply with MEES as energy efficiency improvements to larger commercial properties could take some time to install. As of 2018 the MEES regulations only apply to the granting of a new lease as well as a lease renewal, however, the scope of MEES will expand further in 2023 to include existing leases.

In 2019 the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published The ‘Future Trajectory to 2030’ consultation, which proposed a minimum C or B EPC rating by 2030, with suggestions of incremental improvements to reach the preferred rating of B.

Energy Assessors should encourage landlords to get an up to date EPC as soon as possible to determine the energy efficiency of their existing properties. The cost of non-compliance is significantly higher for non-domestic landlords as it is linked to the rateable value of the property- which means it could be as much as £150,000.

Key Dates for MEES in England and Wales - Non-Domestic

The key dates below underline when the regulations are being enforced, with the regulation scope expanding over a 5 year period from 2018-2023.

1st April 2018

It is unlawful to grant new leases for residential or commercial property with an EPC rating below an 'E'.

1st April 2023

The Non-domestic MEES regulations will be extended to include ALL existing commercial leases.

1st April 2027 (Proposed)

That all non-domestic privately rented buildings achieve a minimum of energy efficiency standards of EPC Band C.

1st April 2030

That all non-domestic privately rented buildings achieve a minimum energy efficiency standards of EPC Band B.