Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

As you may recall the government introduced this legislation back in 2018.  It introduced minimum energy efficiency levels for rented properties in England and Wales.  Any property rented to new tenants from April 2018 to April 2020 must have had a minimum energy efficiency rating of at least an “E”.

If a property had an energy efficiency rating of “F” or “G” which had an existing tenancy, the landlord had until today (1st April 2020) to bring it up to the minimum energy efficiency rating of E.

A copy of each property’s EPC can be found on the central EPC register.

Exemptions are available which need to be regularly assessed as their expiry date varies depending on the exemption applied for.  In certain circumstances, it is more cost effective to improve a property’s energy efficiency rating by carrying out the recommended works than it is to apply for an exemption.