Landlords

Are you aware for MEES?

For you a Private Landlord, we are now well into this latest EPC requirement for your rental properties. If you have a property that is likely to rate poorly regarding an EPC, then we can help guide you on the improvements needed to meet MEES.

How can we help

Firstly, it’s highly recommended you deal with the same assessor throughout the process of assessing your property. It’s also highly recommended that you renew an existing EPC on your property, especially if it was done pre 2013. The assessor will then have the most accurate data to work with. If this EPC rating falls below the required ‘E’, then that assessor will be able to guide you through the recommendations list on how it possible to improve your property to a MEES requirement.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

From the 1st April 2018, changes to legislation will make it unlawful to let residential properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of F or G.

According to the government data, 25% of properties in England and Wales have an E rating or below

Since April 2016 tenants can request a landlord make improvements to a property and, if this can be delivered at no upfront cost, then the landlord cannot “unreasonably refuse”.

From April 2018 a landlord cannot grant a new tenancy of the property with an Energy Performance Certificate with a rating below an E.

From April 2020 a landlord cannot rent any property with an Energy Performance Certificate with a rating below an E.

The government has declared their wish to raise those standards further such that that the minimum standard is likely to rise to a D by 2025 and a C Rating in 2030.

MEES Update

Over the last year, there has been an ongoing Government consultation on proposals to amend The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. The consultation has now concluded, and the amendments are subject to parliamentary approval but are looking to come into force at some point in 2019.

The key decisions include:

• the introduction of a capped landlord contribution of £3,500 (inclusive of VAT)
• removal of the Consent Exemption currently available where a sitting tenant does not consent to a Green Deal charge
• inclusion of an evidential requirement for the registration of a ‘high cost’ exemption
• curtailment of the period of validity of previously registered ‘no cost’ exemptions