Are You Compliant With MEES?
Whether you’re a landlord or perhaps a managing agent, it’s likely that you’ll be aware of the rules around the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) which are set to come into force on 1st April 2020.
When this new legislation becomes law, it will affect all landlords with privately rented properties, including those which are listed or currently let. To fully understand the rules, we must look back to the 1st April 2018, when the first Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property for England and Wales) Regulations 2015 became law. From this date, it was unlawful to let or renew the contract of any domestic property that had an Energy Performance Certificate (an EPC) that had a low rating of F or G. As we all know, most properties require an EPC and renters are now clued up on what the colour-coded scale means for them. Excluding F and G properties from the rental market — that is, those lowest on the scale — meant that more properties were brought up to satisfactory standards for energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions.
The new legislation that becomes law in April 2020 now extends to all privately rented properties, including listed properties, for all existing tenancies, regardless of new or renewed contracts. If an applicable property is let long-term, it will need to have an EPC with a minimum E rating and if it does not, must be improved to meet the minimum criteria of an E, unless it is deemed eligible for the exemption register. More information can be found on the government website.
For many landlords this may have consequences – many are already aware of properties that potentially or currently fall below an E rating and therefore the required legal criteria of MEES. The good news is that there is still time to make amends before the legislation comes into force and Fourwalls can help.
Initially, we can complete a draft EPC which will provide an indication of the energy rating and contain recommendations for changes that could improve this. These recommended measures will be included in any existing EPC and vary depending on the property, but may include:
- Better insulating the roof and/or walls
- Adding photovoltaics or other energy-efficient heating systems
- Changing windows to high-performance glazing
- Adding underfloor heating
- Using a Smart meter or zoned temperature controls
- Improving air tightness to reduce draughts
If changes need to be made in order to improve a property’s energy efficiency, our in-house team of qualified Domestic Energy Assessors can advise on the recommendations in the EPC and revisit the property before lodging a final, legal EPC in advance of the impending April 2020 deadline.
Contact us now for a quick and affordable solution.
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