Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

Advice and guidance from the EPC experts.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (or MEES for short) will affect landlords with properties within both the domestic and non-domestic private rental sector that do not meet the required minimum rating.

When did the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards come into force?
From 1st April 2018, it became unlawful for a landlord to grant either a new lease or a lease renewal for a commercial property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G.

Why do we need MEES?
MEES forms a significant part of The Energy Act 2011, which aims to improve the efficiency of the most energy inefficient properties in the UK. MEES also plays a huge part in the government’s target to reduce CO2 emissions for all buildings in the UK to around zero, by the year 2050.

Who needs to take notice and ensure they comply with the regulations?
Landlords of commercial and residential properties will need to ensure the property meets the MEES standards before granting a new lease or renewing an existing lease.
From 1 April 2023, this will be extended to include all privately rented properties.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?
If an EPC is legally required for your property, not having one is not only unlawful, but also subject to huge compliance penalties. These will be linked to the value of the property, so could be as much as £150,000.

Is it possible to be exempt from the minimum rating?
Yes, some properties could be exempt , but only if the property in question meets one of the seven criteria listed below:

  1. ‘High Cost’ (residential only) – the cost of making even the cheapest recommended improvement would exceed £3,500 (inc. VAT)
  2. ‘7 Year Payback’ – the cost of purchasing and installing energy efficient improvements does not meet the 7 year payback test
  3. ‘All Improvements Made’ – all possible cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements have been carried out and the rating is still non-compliant.
  4. ‘Wall Insulation’
  5. ‘Consent’
  6. ‘Devaluation’
  7. ‘New Landlord’

To understand which of these exemptions may apply to your property, we recommend speaking to one of our experienced assessors, who will be able to help and offer advice.

How do I register a MEES exemption on the PRS Exemption Register and what evidence is required?
We can apply to the PRS Exemption Register on your behalf and submit the required evidence when making the application. We ensure the correct procedures are followed and gather sufficient evidence before registering an exemption. There are significant penalties for registering a false exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register. The evidence that you must submit depends on the exception being applied for, but must always include:
– the address of the property, which exemption.
– a copy of a valid EPC.

How long do exemptions last?
Exemptions must be reapplied for every 5 years, after which they expire. A new exemption must also be applied for once a property has been sold and cannot be sold with the benefit of the previous exemption in place. There is no guarantee that a previously successful exemption will remain valid in a consecutive period.

How can Survey Hub help?
Research is essential to ensure the best rating is achieved:

To produce the most accurate EPC model possible, we use an advanced software package, – Design Builder, to create a 3D model of the property. This software has a massive advantage over other softwares available and ensures no mistakes are made in the geometry.

In 50% of the EPCs we produce for properties that already have a non-compliance EPC (below an E rating), we are able to improve the rating to a compliant level without the need for any additional work or improvements.

Saving you time and unnecessary expenditure.

Speak to one of the teams today to find out more about how we can help.

Related Services

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Land Registry Compliant Plans

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