Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES Regulations)

Domestic and Non Domestic MEES Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency rating E (epc rating e) for all private rented properties in England & Wales


They came into force 1 April 2018


Aimed at encouraging property owners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties


MEES do not currently apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Details of MEES

Private Landlords in England & Wales

Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E 


Unless they have a valid exemption in place


If you are currently planning to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G, you need to improve the property’s energy efficiency rating (epc rating e) to E, or register an exemption, before you enter into a new tenancy.


If you are currently letting a property with an EPC rating of F or G, and you haven’t already taken action, you must improve the property’s rating to E immediately, or register an exemption.


If your property is currently empty, and you are not planning to let it, you don’t need to take any action to improve its rating until you decide to let it again.

MEES Regualtions, EPC Rating D, EPC Rating E, EPC Rating F, EPC Rating G, EPC Rating C, EPC Rating B

The Cost Cap

You will never be required to spend more than £3,500 (including VAT) on energy efficiency rating improvements.

If you cannot improve your property to epc rating e as per mees regulations for £3,500 or less, you should make all the improvements which can be made up to that amount, then register an ‘all improvements made’ exemption

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MEES Regualtions, EPC Rating D, EPC Rating E, EPC Rating F, EPC Rating G, EPC Rating C, EPC Rating B

MEES TIMELINE

Additional Information

In March 2015 the government passed The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.



DOWNLOAD FULL GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT - The Domestic Private Rented Property Minimum Standard

Guidance for landlords and Local Authorities on the minimum level of energy efficiency required to let domestic property under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015

Download

There are 3 ways to fund improvements to your Property

MEES Regualtions, EPC Rating D, EPC Rating E, EPC Rating F, EPC Rating G, EPC Rating C, EPC Rating B

Self Funding

Third Party Funding can take time and is not always the best option. If you are unable to secure any third party funding, you need to use your own funds to improve your property. You will never need to spend more than 'The Cost Cap' of £3,500.


NB. You do not need to spend up to £3,500 if your property can be improved to EPC rating E for less. 

If you can improve your property to E for less than the cap, you will have met your obligation.


If it would cost more than £3,500 to improve your property to E, you should install all recommended measures that can be installed within that amount, then register an exemption.


If you have made any energy efficiency improvements to your property since 1 October 2017, you can include the cost of those improvements within the £3,500 cost cap.

Third Party Funding

If you are able to secure third-party funding to cover the full cost of improving your property to EPC assessment level to an epc rating e or above, you don’t need to invest your own funding:

  • 'The Cost Cap' does NOT apply
  • you should make use of all the funding you secure to get your property to band E, or if possible higher. Funding can include:

                             Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

                             Local authority grants 

                             Green Deal finance


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Combination of Both

If you can secure third-party funding but it is:

  • less than £3,500, and
  • not enough to improve your property to an epc rating e or above


You may need to top up with your own funds to the value of 'The Cost Cap'.


NB.

  • You can count any energy efficiency investment made to your property since 1 October 2017 within the cost cap
  • If your property can be improved to E for less than 'The Cost Cap', that is all you need to spend

MEES Exemptions

'All improvements Made' Exemption

'All improvements Made' Exemption

'All improvements Made' Exemption

Register this exemption if you cannot improve your property to epc rating e for £3,500 or less. You should make all the improvements which can be made up to this capped amount

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'High Cost' Exemption

'All improvements Made' Exemption

'All improvements Made' Exemption

Register this exemption if no improvement can be made because the cost of installing even the cheapest recommended measure would exceed £3,500 (including VAT)

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'Wall Insulation' Exemption

'All improvements Made' Exemption

'Third Party Consent' Exemption

Register this exemption if the only relevant improvements for your property is wall insulation & you have written expert advice showing these measures would negatively impact the fabric or structure of the property

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'Third Party Consent' Exemption

'Property Devaluation' Exemption

'Third Party Consent' Exemption

Register this exemption if relevant improvements for your property need consent from third party, such as tenant, superior landlord, mortgagee, freeholder or planning department, and despite your best efforts that consent cannot be obtained

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'Property Devaluation' Exemption

'Property Devaluation' Exemption

'Property Devaluation' Exemption

Register this exemption if you have evidence showing that making energy efficiency improvements to your property would devalue it by more than 5%. 

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'Temporary' Exemption

'Property Devaluation' Exemption

'Property Devaluation' Exemption

If you have recently become a landlord under certain circumstances, you will not be expected to take immediate action to improve your property to EPC E. You may claim a 6 months exemption

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