Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)

Manage your route to an Asset Rating of B for all your properties by 2030.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) aims to improve the energy efficiency of the national building stock.

From April 2018, it became unlawful to grant new leases for non-domestic properties in England and Wales which do not meet the standard. These regulations extended to all privately rented properties from April 2023. The minimum standard is currently an EPC rating of E, this will move to a C rating by 2027 and then a B rating by 2030.

If a property falls within the scope of MEES, the landlord may still let it (even with an EPC rating below E) if an exemption applies. An exemption to MEES must be entered on the PRS Exemption Register which will then last for five years. Exemptions are personal, which means if a property is sold the new owner must apply for a fresh exemption.

The EPC regulations require that an EPC is provided:

  • Where an existing building is to be sold or rented out (which includes the assignment of an existing lease).

  • Following the construction of new buildings.

  • When certain refurbishment works are undertaken.

Get a quote

Benefits of MEES Compliance

End-to-end managed service

We can provide your EPC and provide an end-to-end managed service to tender, design and install any improvement recommendations to meet the standard if the EPC rating falls below an E. We can even source the finance required for the installations and manage the process for you. Once these have been done, the EPC can be produced again to show the improved rating that meets the minimum standard of MEES.

Increase value of your building

Asset managers should have a strategic plan to bring their portfolios into compliance, thus protecting property values and ability to lease them. We will work with you to identify the improvements required to achieve compliance and a more energy-efficient building that has increased in value. Occupants will save money on energy and, importantly, you will legally be able to sell/lease the property.

Value-added service

When you engage us to manage the design and install of the recommendations, we can provide the EPCs free of charge.

Our comprehensive service guides organisations to improve energy efficiency and avoid heavy fines. Financial penalties for non-compliance are linked to the rateable value of the property but could be as much as £150,000.

What exemptions apply to MEES?

If a property falls within the scope of MEES, the landlord may still let it (even with an EPC rating below E) if one of the following exemptions applies. An exemption to MEES must be entered on the PRS Exemption Register which will then last for five years. Exemptions are personal, which means if a property is sold the new owner must apply for a fresh exemption.

Within the preceding five years, a consent required to carry out the relevant energy efficiency improvement works has been refused (despite reasonable efforts by the landlord to obtain such consent). For example, if planning permission or listed building consent was refused for the alterations, or if superior landlord would not approve the works.

If the payback period on energy efficiency improvements is over seven years, then the property can be exempt from MEES.

The landlord has obtained a report from an independent surveyor that confirms making the relevant energy efficiency improvements would result in a reduction of more than 5% of the market value of the property (or the building of which it forms part).

Where someone has become a landlord unexpectedly, it is deemed unreasonable and inappropriate to expect them to comply immediately with the standard. A temporary six-month exemption may be used in this case.

Resources

Related resources

You might also be interested in

TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting

Energy Performance Certificates

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Display Energy Certificates

TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections

Our accredited assessors will carry out a comprehensive inspection to review the efficiency of your system, check for faults and provide advice on how to make it more cost effective to run. We’ll ensure you’re compliant with regulations and provide a full report, detailing findings and next stage recommendations.

Find out more

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme

Our comprehensive service manages the entire process, from data collection to reporting. With energy and carbon analysts calculating energy consumption and identifying areas for improvement, and registered and qualified lead assessors on hand, you can achieve compliance, while improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.

Find out more

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting

We take care of the collation, calculations and reporting of energy consumption and carbon emissions for Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Our service not only ensures compliance, but also helps identify energy efficiency measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Find out more

Energy Performance Certificates

Ensuring a good energy rating is critical in an increasingly competitive real-estate environment. Our service offers a strategic approach to enhance the rental and saleable value of your buildings while meeting regulatory compliance.

Find out more

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Our comprehensive service manages your route to an Asset Rating of B for all your properties by 2030. We take care of the whole process from survey through to identifying and implementing cost-effective improvements to enhance the EPC rating, increase property value, and ensure compliance.

Find out more

Display Energy Certificates

We all have a responsibility to reduce our energy use, which is why our service identifies opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your buildings, while navigating compliance with ease.

Find out more

Our experience

Stay up-to-date

News

Energy News
ESG & Sustainability
ESG & Sustainability
ESG & Sustainability
ESG & Sustainability
ESG & Sustainability
Energy News
Energy News
ESG & Sustainability
Energy News
ESG & Sustainability

Contact us today

Would you like to learn more? Please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.