Updating MEES for privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030

1 Background
2 Current MEES consultation
3 Reasoning and timeline
4 Key consultation questions
5 Support for landlords
6 Related articles on Designing Buildings
7 External links

[edit] Background

In 2020, under the Conservative government, the consultation 'Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes' was published. Following this consultation, 'Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime' was published in December 2024 by the Labour government, seeking views on the reform of the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) framework for England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland being devolved matters). It looked primarily at the basis, building types, and validity periods of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) but did not formally have a bearing on the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) that were required to be achieved using these certification tools. See the article on the EPC consultation in the context of changes to the NCM

[edit] Current MEES consultation

Now in February 2025, the Labour government has published its consultation regarding the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030. 'Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update' The consultation ends in May 2025. The consultation seeks views on the government’s proposal to amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (referred to as ‘the PRS Regulations’) as well as on changes to the Energy Act 2011, the primary legislation that gives the government the powers to amend the Private Rental Sector (PRS) Regulations.

The full consultation and how to respond can be found here, below is a brief summary of some of the key points.

[edit] Reasoning and timeline

The government has indicated that 'up to half a million households could be lifted out of fuel poverty by 2030 in a major boost to standards in the private rental sector' with 'tenants in poor energy performance properties to be hundreds of pounds better off as part of the government’s Plan for Change' with 'energy-saving measures to be installed in properties to cut the cost of bills and protect the pounds in renters’ pockets…which could save private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills, with all private landlords in England and Wales mandated to meet higher energy performance ratings in their properties by 2030.' 'While 48% of private rented homes in England are already Energy Performance Certificate C or above, ministers now want to ensure this good practice is extended to all properties in the sector, making sure landlords are not undercut, while protecting tenants.'

The proposals look at requiring all private landlords to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties as of 2030. This is an increase up from the current minimum level of EPC E, which has been required since 2018, when the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in the private rented sector (PRS) were introduced. The proposed timeline for the implementation of the EPC reform and higher MEES for the PRS is:

2025: The government responds to the consultation on ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regime,’ consults on a proposed Home Energy Model (HEM) methodology for producing new EPC metrics, and responds to the consultation on ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales.’
2026: Final HEM methodology for EPC metrics is published, and preparation to introduce new EPCs, including' the delivery of EPC software and the training of energy assessors. New EPCs, with new metrics, are available for landlords to commission (existing EPCs with the EER are no longer available). New minimum standards against new metrics for privately rented homes were confirmed along with secondary legislation to raise MEES and updated landlord guidance on compliance.
2028: New tenancies in the domestic PRS are required to meet the higher standard.
2030: All tenancies in the domestic PRS are required to meet the higher standard.

[edit] Key consultation questions

New EPC metrics

1. Do you agree with government’s preferred position of using new alternative Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) metrics following EPC reform as the basis for higher Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for privately rented homes?

2. Government would welcome views on options for setting future MEESagainst a combination of new EPC metrics. Do you agree with government’s preferred approach of having a requirement to meet a primary standard set against the fabric performance metric and then a secondary standard set against either the smart readiness metric or heating system metric, with landlord discretion on which secondary metric their property meets?

3. What are your views on the alternative approaches of:

Alternative 1: A requirement to meet a standard set against dual metrics of equal weighting. The standard would be set against dual metrics including 2 of the following: fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness.
Alternative 2: A requirement to meet an overarching standard set against all 3 metrics of fabric performance, heating system, and smart readiness, either through improvements across all standards or through landlords concentrating improvements against one or two standards.

4. Do you have any alternative suggestions for how government could utilise new EPC metrics as the basis for MEES, such as a single metric approach (for example, fabric or cost based?) Please provide a rationale with your answer.

5. Do you agree with government’s proposal to increase the maximum required investment for Private Rented Sector (PRS) MEES to £15,000 per property and for landlords to be able to register an exemption if expenditure would take them over this figure? If not, please set out whether you consider a cap should apply and how; and if so, what level you consider the cap should be set at and why (whether this is the 2020 proposal of £10,000 or another figure). Please explain your answer.

6. Should government extend the exemption period for the cost cap to 10 years? If not, how long do you think the cost cap exemption should last? Please explain your answer.

7. Do you agree with government’s preferred implementation timeline to require ‘new tenancies’ to meet the higher standard from 2028 and ‘all tenancies’ to meet the higher standard by 2030? If not, do you have alternative suggestions?

8. Do you agree with government’s proposal that, as an EPC reform transition measure, landlords should be able to demonstrate their properties are compliant with the existing standard of EPC E using their past EPC?

9. Do you agree properties that have an EPC rating of C against the EER on EPCs before 2026 should be recognised as compliant with the future standard until their EPC expires or is replaced?

10. Do you agree with government’s proposal to require landlords to commission a new EPC before taking action to comply with higher MEES?

10.1. Should the cost of this new EPC be included within the cost cap?
10.2. Should landlords still be required to commission post-improvement EPCs? If yes, should the cost of the post-improvement EPC also be included within the cost cap?

11. Should government develop an affordability exemption? If yes, what eligibility criteria would be the most appropriate for an affordability exemption? Please indicate which, if any, of the proposed approaches you support or otherwise provide alternative suggestions.

12. Should government apply the PRS MEES Regulations to short-term lets? Please explain your answer.

13. What actions could government take, including changes to the law to encourage or require smart meters in properties undergoing efficiency upgrades, to increase the number of smart meters installed in the PRS? Please provide your rationale and evidence for any suggestions for actions you have.

14. Do you think the current MEES exemptions available to landlords are suitable?

14.1. Are there other circumstances, not covered by the current MEESexemptions regime, where you think government should consider making exemptions for?

15. Do you agree with government’s preferred position to keep a potential requirement on lettings agents and online property platforms under review whilst the PRS Database is being developed for properties in England?

16. Do you have any new evidence to submit regarding the topics as summarised in Chapter 2 of this consultation? Please specify which topic you are providing new evidence for.

17. Is there any additional information or evidence you would like to provide on either the effectiveness of the existing PRS regulations 2015 and guidance, or interactions with other policies?

Existing EPCs: Should properties with an EPC rating of C on EPC before 2026 be recognised as compliant with the future standard until their current EPC expires or is replaced what are alternative options. Should landlords be required to commission a new EPC before taking action to comply with higher MEES? Should EPC costs be included within the cost cap? Should post-improvement EPCsbe required and should cost of the post-improvement EPCs be in the cost cap?

Should an affordability exemption exist, what is the eligability criieria and amount or there ather approaches.

Short term lets

Should government apply the PRS MEES Regulations to short-term lets? Please explain your answer.

Smart meters

What actions could government take, including changes to the law to encourage or require smart meters in properties undergoing efficiency upgrades, to increase the number of smart meters installed in the PRS? Please provide your rationale and evidence for any suggestions for actions you have.

Exemptions

Question 14: Do you think the current MEES exemptions available to landlords are suitable?

Question 14.1: Are there other circumstances, not covered by the current MEES exemptions regime, where you think government should consider making exemptions for?

Question 15: Do you agree with government’s preferred position to keep a potential requirement on lettings agents and online property platforms under review whilst the PRS Database is being developed for properties in England?

[edit] Support for landlords

Current support for landlords lie in a zero-rate of VAT on energy saving measures, such as insulation, and low-carbon heating, until March 2027. The Warm Homes Plan will also support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. Further details about support for landlords in the future will also be considered as part of the Plan. There are also a number of policy changes that inter-relate with the planned changes which include: