Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
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 so the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards come into force?
From 1st April 2018, it will be 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 so 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 from regularios, 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 installed 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 the 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 will ensure the correct processes if following and we have gathered 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 upon the exception being applied for but must always include; the address of the property, which exemption is being registered and a copy of a valid EPC.
How long do exemptions last ?
Exemptions must be re-applied 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?
When EPCs were first introduced in 2008, we were one of the very first companies to undertake the training and become qualified assessors. Over the past 10 years we have surveyed every type of property imaginable, from shell & core industrial units to grade A offices in central London. We have wealth of experience helping landlords, property owners and investors achieve the best EPC rating possible and this usually starts with a detailed survey of the property by one of our fully qualified assessors – we do not use data collectors like some of our competitors. All our assessors strive to a greater depth of understanding and are knowledgeable on many building types, construction techniques and HVAC systems. Research is essential to ensure the best rating is achieved and is an area in which we excel; speaking to HVAC manufactures, conducting thorough building regulation and planning application searches and utilising the many specialist resources at our disposal, both online and in our in-house research database. Finally to produce the most accurate EPC model possible, we use an advanced software package, called Design Builder, to create a 3D model of the property. This software has a massive advantage over other software available and ensures no mistakes are made in the geometry.
It is no surprise that to us that for over 50% of the EPCs we provide for properties that already have a lodged but non-compliance EPC (below an E rating), we have through following the correct processes and our expertise, been able to improve the rating to a compliant level without the need for any additional work or improvements to the property. Saving you time and unnecessary expenditure.
Speak to one of the team today to find about how we can help.
