What is Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)?

Full Definition

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are regulations that require most privately rented residential and commercial properties in England and Wales to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating before they can lawfully be let to a new or continuing tenant. Since April 2020 the minimum standard for existing tenancies has been EPC band E, meaning landlords cannot grant a new tenancy, or continue an existing one, on a property rated F or G unless they hold a valid exemption (for example, where reasonable improvements would cost more than the statutory cost cap, or all cost-effective measures have already been made without reaching band E). The government has consulted on and proposed raising the minimum standard to EPC band C for new tenancies from 2028 and for all tenancies from 2030, which would require significant numbers of landlords to invest in insulation, glazing, heating system and other efficiency upgrades, potentially supported by grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme; the exact final dates and any transitional exemptions were still being finalised through 2025 and 2026. Landlords letting a property below the required standard without a valid, registered exemption face financial penalties from the local authority (which can run to several thousand pounds per breach) and can be barred from marketing or continuing to let the property until it is brought up to standard or an exemption is registered, making MEES compliance a key factor landlords must budget for in the buy-to-let running costs of older or poorly insulated properties.

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