Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) consultation now OPEN
The current minimum energy standard for private rental homes is an E rating. The proposal seeks to change this to a minimum of band C from 2028 for new tenancies and 2030 for existing tenancies. There are some exemptions and spending caps being consulted on so now is the time to have your say.
What is the current minimum standard?
Since 2018, Landlords must ensure their property meets a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E and above.
What changes are being proposed?
The Government is proposing to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard of privately rented homes in England and Wales to the equivalent of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2030.
The proposed policy aims to reduce energy bills for tenants, improve thermal comfort and create carbon emissions savings in the sector to deliver against the government’s statutory 2030 fuel poverty target and carbon budgets.
Are the EPC standards remaining the same or changing?
They are proposing to set higher MEES against new metrics planned to be introduced to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) following EPC reform in 2026. The planned new
metrics would assess the energy performance of buildings based on fabric performance, smart readiness, and the efficiency and emissions of the heating system. They have said that the standard would be the equivalent of a current band C as a firm guideline.
Landlords would be required to install measures which could improve the building’s heat retention, reduce the energy required to operate the building’s heating systems, and enable the occupier to optimise their energy use, to maximise the overall energy efficiency of the building and reduce its running costs.
How much are landlords expected to spend on bringing properties up to a minumum C?
The previous Government suggested an investment of £10,000 is reasonable to bring a property up to standard. During this consultation period, they are seeking views on the proposal that landlords should be required to invest up to a maximum of £15,000 per property on improvements to meet the standard (the ‘cost cap’). If it still doesn't meet the standard, they could register a 10-year exemption to continue to let the property.
The government modelling indicates that, on average, properties will require between £6,100 and £6,800 worth of investment to meet the standard under the preferred metric approach.
Is there any support for landlords?
Some support is currently available to landlords to improve their properties- An eligibility tool is available here.
There is a zero-rate of VAT until March 2027 on energy saving measures, such as insulation,
and low-carbon heating, making it cheaper for people to invest in their properties and reduce their energy usage. It is worth landlords making use of this while they can.
The Warm Homes Plan will support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other
home improvements to cut bills. Further details about support for landlords in the future will be considered as part of the Plan.
Is this linked to changes under the Renters Rights Bill?
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have committed to introducing a Decent Homes Standard to privately rented homes for the first time, ensuring all tenants have the right to safe, secure and hazard free homes. It is hoped The Renters’ Rights Bill ,also going through the House of Lords at present will give tenants stability with clear legal standards for remediating serious hazards through Awaab’s Law, and strengthening local authority enforcement powers. It also proposes to create a PRS Database and to introduce a new PRS Landlord Ombudsman.
What else is being consulted on?
The 2025 consultation is also seeking views on:
• Whether to introduce an affordability exemption that lowers the cost cap to £10,000 for
some properties and how this could be implemented.
• Whether to increase the scope of the PRS Regulations to include short-term lets to
ensure a consistent standard between privately rented homes and short-term lets.
• What regulatory measures could be used to drive the installation of smart meters in
privately rented homes.
• The existing exemptions regime for the PRS Regulations and whether there are other
instances in which exemptions should apply.
Where can I find more specific details on the proposals ?
We have included a link to the full consultation document below:
Where can I express my views during the consultation period?
The online consultation opened on 7th February 2025 and closes on 2nd May 2025.
There was a previous consultation in 2020 which received 729 responses from landlords, agents, property managers and tenants. So now is the time to have your say on how this could impact you and make your suggestions.
If you are unable to complete the survey online send your views as follows:
Email: PRSMEESConsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk
Write to:
Head of the Private Rented Sector Strategy
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
3-8 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2EG