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A guide to meeting the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard is a piece of legislation aimed at enhancing energy efficiency across commercial properties in England and Wales via their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). These regulations apply to rented commercial buildings and carry significant implications for landlords and property owners.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard explained

MEES sets out how properties should operate to have a realistic standard of energy performance. Currently, MEES prohibits landlords from renewing existing tenancies or granting new tenancies for buildings with an Energy Performance Certificate rating below E, unless they have registered for an exemption.

Failing to comply with MEES can lead to substantial fines and a bad reputation for landlords or property owners.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An EPC is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a property, providing ratings from A+ to G based on its energy consumption and carbon emissions. Having an EPC is essential to ensuring you are correctly making changes to your property to meet MEES requirements. The EPC will help property owners identify what improvements need to be made.

Interested in learning more about EPCs? Read our full blog here.

Why did the government introduce MEES?

The government introduced MEES to align with commitments to reduce carbon emissions under the 2008 Climate Change Act. It forms a crucial part of the strategy to enhance energy efficiency in buildings across England and Wales, while also contributing to the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the UK. Scotland also has a variation on the MEES legislation under Section 63 of the Climate Change Act.  

What are the requirements?

Compliance with MEES is mandatory for landlords wishing to rent out properties in England and Wales. It is essential that landlords ensure that their properties have an EPC rating between A+ and E to be eligible for leasing under current legislation.

The rules for MEES have been implemented gradually since April 2018. Initially, the emphasis was on prohibiting new leases for properties with an EPC rating of F or G. As of April 2023, further restrictions were imposed, preventing the continued letting of properties with F and G ratings.

Who needs to comply?

All landlords are obligated to comply with MEES, unless they qualify for exemptions.

What are the exemptions?

In some cases, landlords may be exempt from complying with MEES. There are seven categories of exemptions to be aware of:

  • High-cost exemptions
  • 7-year payback exemptions
  • All improvements made exemptions
  • Wall insulation exemptions
  • Consent exemptions
  • Devaluation exemptions
  • New landlord exemptions

Landlords must register their exemptions on a central online register or be subject to potential fines.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Non-compliance with MEES can result in financial penalties ranging from £5,000 to £150,000, depending on the duration and severity of the breach. Misleading information provided on the PRS Exemption Register can also lead to fines.

Landlords can expect to see a significant reduction in property value should compliance not be met.

How can Amber help?

By working with experts at Amber, landlords can proactively meet the standards and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. Please get in touch to find out how we can support.

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