Government consults on changes to the MEES Regulations to increase the minimum energy efficiency standard for non-domestic private rented properties by 2030

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a consultation, seeking views on how best to amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962) (MEES Regulations) to improve the energy performance of non-domestic private rented (PR) properties. The proposals are intended to help the government towards achieving its ambitions of at least a 20% reduction in business energy use by 2030 and net zero emissions in the United Kingdom by 2050.

The consultation seeks views on two alternative targets. The government’s preference is that all non-domestic PR properties should be required to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B by 1 April 2030, if cost effective. The alternative target is a minimum EPC rating of C by the same date, if cost effective. Whether improvements are cost effective would depend on whether they meet the seven-year payback test currently set out in the MEES Regulations.

The consultation also seeks views on details relating to the implementation of the requirement to reach an EPC B (or C) rating by 2030, including whether the new target should be introduced on a single implementation date or through incremental milestones, and the continuing effectiveness of the current exemptions. The government asks for feedback on the likely practical impact of the proposals on landlords looking to let their non-domestic PR properties in the market.

The consultation applies to England and Wales and closes on 7 January 2020 and can be found here 

The consultation also notes that the government intends to consult on increasing the required minimum energy efficiency standard for domestic PR property during winter 2019/20.

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