How to get ready for MEES: a landlord’s action plan
MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards)
The quick answer
MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) currently require private rented properties in England and Wales to hold an EPC rating of E or above before they can be let. From 1 October 2030, this will rise to EPC C (assessed against two metrics under the reformed EPC framework), applying to new and existing tenancies alike. To get ready, landlords should get a current EPC, check their rating against both the E floor (now) and the C target (2030), budget for improvement works, and register any valid exemption if the cost cap is reached.
Note: MEES policy is dynamic, please check with the government website for the very latest updates.
What is MEES?
MEES is the legal framework that sets the minimum energy efficiency a rented property must meet before a landlord can let it. It has applied to the domestic private rented sector since 1 April 2018 for new tenancies, and since 1 April 2020 for all existing tenancies.
The rules apply if a property:
- Is let on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy, and
- Is legally required to have a valid EPC (broadly, any property marketed, sold, let, or significantly modified within the last 10 years)
If both apply and the EPC rating is F or G, the landlord must act before letting or continuing to let the property.
The current standard: EPC E
Since April 2020, it has been illegal to let or continue letting a property covered by MEES with an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.
COST CAP TODAY
Landlords are not required to spend more than £3,500 (including VAT) on improvements to reach band E. If the property still cannot reach E after spending up to this cap, the landlord registers an “all improvements made” exemption instead.
The 2030 standard: EPC C
The government’s Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, confirmed a single compliance deadline for the private rented sector: all privately rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC band C by 1 October 2030, applying to new and existing tenancies alike — there is no earlier 2028 cut-off for new lets, as was originally floated.
A few points that matter for planning:
- Compliance will be judged against a dual-metric standard under the reformed EPC methodology, not the current single SAP-based score.
- A revised EPC framework, replacing the current single-metric certificate with separate metrics covering things like fabric performance, heating system, and running cost, is expected to roll out from late 2026.
- A cost cap for reaching band C is expected to be confirmed as part of the government’s response, alongside exemption categories similar to those already in place for band E.
The current minimum rating is EPC E (2020–2030)
What’s changing? EPC minimum rating from 1st October 2030
ONE REASON NOT TO LEAVE ACTION UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE…
Because the EPC metrics themselves are changing, a property’s current rating may shift
once it’s reassessed under the new methodology
Step-by-step: getting MEES-ready
- Check your current EPC Confirm the rating and expiry date. If it’s more than 10 years old or you’re due to re-let or sell, you’ll need a new one before the transaction.
- Compare against both thresholds Ask: does the property meet E today? Would it plausibly meet C once reassessed under the new metrics? Treat E as the immediate legal minimum and C as the 2030 target to plan capital works around.
- Get an improvement recommendations report Your EPC comes with a list of recommended measures, ranked by cost and impact. This is the starting point for prioritising work. Loft and cavity wall insulation are typically the cheapest wins; heating system upgrades and solid wall insulation cost more but move the rating further.
- Budget in phases Spread higher-cost measures (heat pumps, external wall insulation, glazing) across the years leading up to 2030 rather than waiting for a single deadline crunch – contractor demand and material costs are both expected to rise as the deadline approaches.
- Check funding and grant eligibility The Warm Homes Plan includes government funding to support upgrade works; eligibility depends on property type, tenant circumstances, and current scheme rules, so it’s worth checking what’s live before committing to self-funded works.
- Register an exemption if you hit the cost cap If you’ve spent up to the applicable cap and the property still doesn’t meet the required band, register the relevant exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register. Exemptions are time-limited and must be evidenced; keep invoices, quotes, and any professional reports (e.g. confirming wall insulation isn’t suitable) on file.
- Keep records Local authorities enforce MEES and can issue civil penalties for noncompliance – commonly up to £5,000 per breach, with higher penalties for providing false or misleading information. A clear paper trail of your EPC history, quotes obtained, and works completed is your main defence.
MEES Compliance for landlords deadline: 01 October 2030
Exemptions: when you don’t have to comply immediately
A landlord can register a valid exemption where, for example:
- All relevant improvements have been made up to the applicable cost cap and the property still doesn’t meet the standard
- A qualified, independent expert confirms a recommended measure (such as wall insulation) would damage the fabric or structure of the property
- A required third party – a freeholder, lender, planning authority, or in some cases a tenant — refuses necessary consent
Exemptions must be registered before letting (or continuing to let) and are generally valid
for five years, after which the property is reassessed.
Frequently asked questions about MEES
Do I need to act now if my property is already rated E or above?
Not urgently under current law, but it’s worth checking whether the property would still meet E — or come close to C – once reassessed under the new EPC metrics expected from late 2026.
What happens if I don’t comply?
Local authorities can serve a compliance notice and, if ignored, issue a penalty, commonly up to £5,000 per property per breach. They are also able to publish details of the breach.
Does MEES apply to a property I own but don’t currently let?
No. Empty properties not being marketed or let are not subject to MEES action until the landlord intends to let them again.
Will I need to upgrade my heating system?
Not necessarily. The recommendation depends on the property’s current EPC report. Heating system changes tend to be one of the higher-cost measures, so they’re usually only required where cheaper fabric improvements (insulation, glazing) aren’t enough to reach the target band.
Exemptions must be registered before letting (or continuing to let) and are generally valid for five years, after which the property is reassessed. A landlord can register a valid exemption where, for example:
All relevant improvements have been made up to the applicable cost cap and the property still doesn’t meet the standard
A qualified, independent expert confirms a recommended measure (such as wall insulation) would damage the fabric or structure of the property
A required third party. A freeholder, lender, planning authority. Or in some cases a tenant – refuses consent
Rental EPCs in London, south east, home counties
Darren Verity
Our London based certified assessor serving London and surrounding Home Counties including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and beyond.
Rental EPCs in the South of England
Jamie Beckley
Certified assessor based in Havant, serving the South of England including Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, West Sussex, Kent and further afield.
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NOTE: This article reflects the Warm Homes Plan and MEES policy position as confirmed in January 2026. EPC metrics and the associated cost cap for the 2030 EPC C target are subject to further government confirmation. Landlords should check for updates ahead of any major works.