Are you compliant with MEES requirements?
Explore our module to ensure compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for your property
Under the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Regulations (MEES), all privately rented properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or above in order to be legally let and landlords must provide their tenants with the EPC before the tenancy begins.
These requirements were introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of private rented properties, making heating costs more affordable for tenants and giving them a more comfortable home, as well as helping with environmental targets. Breaching the regulations can lead to a fine for the landlord of up to £5,000 per property.
The government has launched a formal consultation, as of 7 February 2025, on raising the minimum EPC standard for privately rented homes from E to C. Under the proposals, the new standard would be rolled out as follows: new tenancies would need to meet EPC C, or equivalent under proposed new metrics by 2028, and all tenancies by 2030.
The new approach also involves an overhaul of how EPCs are assessed, not just keeping the classic A–G rating but using a “fabric-performance and heating / smart-readiness” metric system. For landlords, there would be a maximum spend threshold for improvements (e.g. a cost cap per property), after which an exemption could apply.
Nevertheless, if your rented property is currently rated ‘D’ or ‘E’, it’s still worth looking at what you can do to improve that to ‘C’ or above over the next few years.
In Scotland the current minimum EPC rating for rented properties is ‘E’. The Scottish Government had intended to raise that to ‘C’ from 2025 for a change in tenancy and from 2028 for all tenancies. However, in December 2023 they scrapped the 2025 deadline, and it is now proposed that all rented properties must simply meet minimum C by the end of 2028.
In Northern Ireland, while every rented property must have an EPC, there is currently no minimum standard, although there are proposals to change that, under the Private Tenancies Bill.
For more information and advice on making energy efficiency improvements, check out our comprehensive guide to having an eco friendly property. You can also listen to our podcast, Decarbonising the rented sector – what do landlords need to know?, with Ben Beadle, CEO of the NRLA, who highlights EPC upgrades as a significant challenge for the sector.
For more information and advice on making energy efficiency improvements, check out our comprehensive guide to having an eco friendly property.
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