What landlords need to know about MEES

If you’re a landlord in England or Wales, there’s a big change on the horizon: minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties are tightening, and you’ll need to prepare to keep your portfolio compliant. At present, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) make it illegal to rent out a property with an EPC rating below E unless you’ve got a registered exemption. But the UK government is consulting on tougher EPC rating requirements:

• By 2028 – all new tenancies must have an EPC C rating or above
• By 2030 – all existing rental properties must meet the same C standard It’s not yet law, but you should plan now to avoid a last-minute scramble and increased costs.

Why Is This Changing?

There are two main drivers behind these EPC changes for landlords:

1. Cutting carbon emissions – Housing accounts for around 14% of the UK’s greenhouse gases. Improving insulation, heating systems, and glazing is key to the government’s net zero target.
2. Lowering tenant bills – An EPC C rental property can save tenants up to £240 a year on energy costs, making your property more attractive in a competitive market.

What Will It Cost to Meet EPC C?

The cost of an EPC upgrade for landlords varies. If your property is already a D, you might only need to add loft insulation, LED lighting, or better heating controls to get the extra points you need. For older, less efficient homes, you may face bigger projects—wall insulation, double glazing, or a new heating system. Current estimates suggest this will cost £7,000.00 on average. The government has floated a £15,000 EPC cost cap per property to limit spending, with a possible lower limit for certain property types or regions with lower house values. If you would like to speak to us to understand the requirements for exemption, please contact us at info@epims.co.uk and we can discuss your property and explain the process in more detail.

Will There Be Help?

Yes. You may qualify for funding through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, local council “Warm Homes” initiatives and other EPC grants for landlords. To find out if your property meets the criteria for the current government grants, just enter your postcode and a few details on our platform at www.epims.co.uk or if you have a portfolio of properties, we can undertake a portfolio review to ensure you take advantage of all the available funding opportunities.

How to Prepare for New EPC Rules

1. Check your EPC ratings – Focus first on any D, E, F, or G-rated properties.
2. Work with epIMS – Get tailored advice on cost-effective energy efficiency improvements for rental properties.
3. Plan upgrades with maintenance – If you’re carrying out any alterations or maintenance, consider if there are any energy improvement jobs you can carry out at the same time.
4. Monitor funding opportunities – Get advanced notification about new grants or low-interest green loans announced on the epIMS website and blog.
5. Act early – Spreading the cost over time will make compliance easier and minimise disruption to your tenants.

Our Advice

Whether the deadline is 2028 or 2030, higher energy efficiency standards for landlords are coming. By acting now, you can future-proof your investments, keep tenants happy, and stay ahead of legal changes.