Managing a property - information for landlords
Contents
Energy Efficiency Standards
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties. The Regulations apply to your property if it is let on assured, regulated or agricultural tenancy, and it has been let to a tenant, sold or modified within the last 10 years.
Landlords can not let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information about a building’s energy performance, its estimated annual energy usage costs and recommendations on how improvements could be carried out to the building to improve its energy performance in the future.
The EPC must be produced by an accredited energy assessor who is a member of a government approved accreditation scheme. They will award a building an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
The certificate will be valid for 10 years and buildings cannot be rented to tenants if the rating is below ‘E’, unless they have registered a valid exemption.
Government guidance on Energy Performance Certificates
When to improve an EPC rating
If you are currently planning to let a 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 enter into a new tenancy.
If you are currently letting a property with an EPC rating of F or G, and you haven’t already taken action, you must improve the property’s rating to E immediately, or register an exemption.
If your property is currently empty, and you are not planning to let it, you don’t need to take any action to improve its rating until you decide to let it again.
Energy efficiency grants
There are grants that you can access for renewable heating and insulation if your tenant is on a low income. See our help with heating your home page for more information.
Policy and guidance
If we believe that a property is (or has been) let in breach of the Regulations, we may issue a financial penalty up to 18 months after the breach. The maximum amount you can be fined per property is £5,000. You can find more information on the Housing enforcement policy page
The Government has published guidance for landlords about MEES.
Page last reviewed: 20 May 2024
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