Energy Performance Certificates and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) were introduced by the government to improve the quality and increase the energy efficiency of the worst performing privately rented houses and buildings.  

With effect from the 1st April 2018 there was a requirement for any domestic properties rented out in the private rented sector (required to have an EPC) to have a MEES Energy Performance Certificate rating of E or above.

The regulations came into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st April 2018 and for all existing tenancies on 1st April 2020.

It is now unlawful for a landlord or agent to rent out a domestic property with an EPC rating of F or G, unless they have a valid exemption in place. 

This includes properties rented on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy.  
In practice this means:

• if you currently let a property with an EPC rating of F or G, you must improve the property’s rating to E immediately, or register an exemption
• if you plan to let a currently vacant property with an EPC rating of F or G, you need to improve the property’s rating to E, or register an exemption, before you start a new tenancy

The MEES for rented homes will be raised further to a D rating by 2025 and a C rating by 2030. The government is currently consulting on bringing these dates forward so landlords need to be thinking ahead and considering how they can meet a higher standard rather than just the current minimum standard.

You can find more information about MEES on GOV.UK.