This page was last updated in October 2026.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are rules that set the minimum level of energy efficiency certain rented properties must meet. They work alongside Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which show how energy efficient a property is. The EPC rating is used to help determine whether a rented property meets the required MEES standard. The rules are not the same for every property. What applies depends on whether the building is domestic or non-domestic, whether it is privately or socially rented, and where it is located in the UK.
Energy Assessors can help Landlords by commissioning an up to date EPC which will determine the energy efficiency of their existing housing stock. The recommendations from the EPC can also help to clarify potential improvement measures.
In England and Wales, MEES currently applies to domestic and non-domestic properties in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), with higher standards planned over the coming years. A separate MEES is also being introduced for social rented homes in England.
Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under separate energy efficiency and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) frameworks.
Use the information below to understand which requirements apply.
MEES for Domestic Private Rented Properties
Applies to: England and Wales
Domestic MEES applies to privately rented homes in England and Wales that fall within the scope of the regulations and are legally required to have an EPC. Since 1 April 2020, landlords have been unable to let or continue to let a property covered by the regulations where it has an EPC rating of F or G, unless a valid exemption is registered. Landlords are currently expected to spend up to £3,500 including VAT per property on relevant energy efficiency improvements to reach EPC E, where required.
Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the regulations and can issue financial penalties for non-compliance, with total financial penalties relating to a domestic property capped at £5,000 under the current regulations. The Government has confirmed that this standard will become more demanding, with a higher minimum energy efficiency standard planned for privately rented homes from 2030.
DOWNLOAD OUR DOMESTIC MEES GUIDEWhat’s Changing?
From 1st October 2030, homes in the private rented sector (PRS) will be expected to meet a higher energy efficiency standard based on the reformed EPC framework, unless a valid exemption applies. The future standard will require properties to meet the equivalent in an EPC Band C in:
- a fabric performance standard; and
- either a heating system or smart readiness standard.
A £10,000 cost cap is planned for relevant improvements. Properties achieving EPC C or above against the existing Energy Efficiency Rating before 1 October 2029 will be recognised as compliant with the future standard for the remaining validity of that EPC.
Key dates for PRS Domestic MEES
Domestic tenants were given 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 tenant’s request to make energy efficiency improvements.
It became unlawful to grant new leases for residential property with an EPC rating below an ‘E’.
£3,500 cost cap introduced – Where third party funding (ECO, 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 regulation expanded to apply to ALL residential privately rented property which are required to have an EPC E or above
Properties achieving an Energy Efficiency Rating of C or above can benefit from transitional arrangements under the future standard.
This was confirmed via Government Consultation Outcome to: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes which was published in January 2026 and can be viewed here here.
All relevant private tenancies will be required to meet the higher standard, subject to the necessary legislation, unless a valid exemption applies.
MEES for Domestic Social Rented Properties
Applies to: England
A separate Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard is being introduced for homes in the social rented sector (SRS) in England. By 1st April 2030, new and existing social rented homes will need to achieve EPC C or above against at least one of the reformed EPC metrics:
- Fabric Performance
- Heating System
- Smart Readiness
Social housing providers will then need to achieve EPC C or above against a second metric by 1st April 2039, unless an exemption applies. Homes achieving EPC C under the existing Energy Efficiency Rating before 1st April 2030 can be recognised as compliant for the remaining validity of that EPC.
DOWNLOAD OUR DOMESTIC MEES GUIDEKey dates for SRS Domestic MEES
There is currently no minimum EPC standard in force for social rented homes in England. However, homes that achieve EPC C or above under the existing Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) before 1st April 2030 can be treated as compliant for the remaining validity period of that EPC.
Social rented homes in England will need to achieve EPC C or above against at least one reformed EPC metric, unless exempt.
This was confirmed via Government Consultation Outcome to: Improving the energy efficiency of socially rented homes in England which was published in April 2026 and can be viewed here here.
Social rented homes will need to achieve EPC C or above against a second reformed EPC metric, unless exempt.
MEES for Non-Domestic Private Rented Properties
Applies to: England and Wales
MEES also applies to privately rented non-domestic buildings, including many offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial properties. Since 1st April 2023, landlords have generally been unable to continue letting a property covered by the regulations where it has an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption is in place.
The Government has also confirmed its intention to strengthen non-domestic MEES. Under the proposed approach, from 2031, privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 m² in England and Wales will need to achieve EPC B, where this is cost effective. Buildings below 1,000 m² are currently intended to remain subject to the existing EPC E minimum standard, with no set deadline to go beyond this level.
The Government’s June 2026 announcement is an interim position. The EPC B requirement for larger buildings will need further legislation before it takes effect, and further detail is still expected on how the 1,000 m² threshold and wider requirements will operate in practice.
DOWNLOAD OUR NON-DOMESTIC MEES GUIDEKey dates for PRS Non-Domestic MEES
It became unlawful to grant new leases for commercial properties with an EPC rating below an ‘E’.
The Non-Domestic MEES regulations will be extended to include ALL existing commercial leases.
The previously proposed EPC C interim target will not be taken forward.
The Government’s interim response to the following consultation: Non-domestic Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation, confirmed the interim EPC C target would not be taken forward and a new longer term target had been set. View the interim response here.
Privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 m² are proposed to be required to achieve EPC B, where this is cost effective.
Buildings below 1,000 m² are currently intended to remain at the existing EPC E minimum standard.
Further legislation and guidance are expected before the new requirements take effect.
This was confirmed via the interim response to the Government’s Consultation: Non-domestic Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation, and can be viewed here.
What About Scotland?
Domestic Properties
Applies to: Scotland
The domestic MEES regulations in England and Wales do not apply in Scotland.
There is currently no equivalent minimum EPC band preventing a domestic private rented property in Scotland from being let solely because of its EPC rating. The Scottish Government is developing separate proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector.
An EPC is, however, required when a home is sold or let to a new tenant.
Non-Domestic Properties
Applies to: Scotland
Scotland also operates a separate framework for non-domestic buildings.
An EPC is generally required when a non-domestic property is sold or let to a new tenant. Additional requirements also apply to certain non-domestic buildings over 1,000 m², including requirements relating to Energy Action Plans.
The EPC E and proposed EPC B MEES requirements applying in England and Wales do not apply in Scotland.
What About Northern Ireland?
Applies to: Northern Ireland
The MEES regulations applying in England and Wales do not extend to Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland operates its own Energy Performance Certificate framework. EPCs are required when properties are built or marketed for sale or rent, but there is not an equivalent EPC E minimum letting standard under the England and Wales MEES regulations.
How Energy Assessors Can Support MEES
Energy assessors have an important role to play in helping landlords understand the current performance of their properties and prepare for changing MEES requirements.
For Domestic Energy Assessors, this can go beyond simply producing an EPC. As landlords begin planning for higher standards, there is an opportunity to use your existing knowledge to provide clearer information around energy performance, potential improvement measures and the requirements that may apply to individual properties.
Build Your MEES Knowledge
Elmhurst’s Domestic MEES Masterclass is designed specifically for qualified DEAs who want to build on their existing EPC services and offer professional MEES reporting and advice.
The course covers:
- current and forthcoming Private and Social Rented Sector MEES requirements
- relevant exemptions and funding options
- approaches to improving EPC ratings
- tools available to support improvement advice
- the role and remit of the energy assessor when providing MEES advice.
The course is delivered remotely and provides 5 hours of certified CPD.
Opportunities in Social Housing Retrofit
Investment and new MEES requirements are driving more improvement work across social housing, creating opportunities for energy assessors and retrofit professionals to support housing providers with assessment, planning and retrofit delivery. Depending on your qualifications, this could include energy assessment, retrofit assessment, retrofit coordination and other specialist services.
Elmhurst has developed a dedicated guide to help members explore the different routes into social housing retrofit.
MEES Information for Landlords
Whether you own one rental property or manage a larger portfolio, understanding your current EPC ratings is an important first step in preparing for MEES. We’ve developed dedicated information to help landlords understand what applies to their properties and what they can do now
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