Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards - Print version

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Coventry City Council has recently been successful in securing funding to tackle tenants living in cold and draughty rented properties by enforcing minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) across the city. With an aim to help tackle fuel poverty and ensuring everyone can live in a warm home with fair energy bills.

The project aims to seek out underperforming properties in the city and Landlords failing to fulfil their obligations.

Energy Performance Certificates

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property on a scale of A-G. Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2007 and once issued a EPC is valid for 10 years.

An EPC contains:

• Information about a property's energy use and typical energy costs
• Recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are legally required to be provided whenever a property is:

• Built
• Sold
• Rented

Check your EPC rating [http://find-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/]

Apply for a new EPC [http://getting-new-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/]

Legislation

In April 2018 the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) made it a legal requirement for all privately owned properties to have an EPC rating of at least an 'E' before they are sold or let. The legislation applies to both domestic and commercial properties.

From 1 April 2020, these requirements apply to all private rented properties not just when a new tenancy begins. Landlords in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E.

Those who fail to make the necessary changes will be subject to the appropriate fines: up to £5,000 for domestic dwellings.

Coventry City Council will continue to seek out landlords and agents who are failing to comply.

Exemptions

You don’t need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if you can demonstrate that the building is any of these:

• listed or officially protected and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it
• a temporary building only going to be used for 2 years or less
• used as a place of worship or for other religious activities
• an industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use much energy
• a detached building with a total floor space under 50 square metres
• due to be demolished by the seller or landlord and they have all the relevant planning and conservation consents
• Vacant buildings and demolition

A building is also exempt if all of the following are true:

• it’s due to be sold or rented out with vacant possession
• it’s suitable for demolition and the site could be redeveloped
• the buyer or tenant has applied for planning permission to demolish it

The PRS Exemptions Register is for properties which:

• are legally required to have an EPC
• are let on a relevant tenancy type
• cannot be improved to meet the minimum standard of EPC band E for one of these reasons [http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-rented-sector-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-exemptions/guidance-on-prs-exemptions-and-exemptions-register-evidence-requirements]

Where an exemption applies, the exemption must be registered by the landlord (or an agent for the landlord) before it can be relied on; this registration is made on a self-certification basis and an exemption will apply from the point at which it is registered.

Where an EPC F or G rated privately rented property is not covered by the Regulations, for example a property which is not legally required to have an EPC, or one not let on a relevant tenancy type, an exemption will not be required.

Register an exemption [http://prsregister.beis.gov.uk/NdsBeisUi/used-service-before]

Improving the energy efficiency of your properties

How to improve the energy efficiency of your properties [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/65/home_energy_and_warmth/2781/energy_efficiency_-_improving_my_home].

News

Sign up to our Landlord Forum Mailing List [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_89] to receive news and updates about MEES and other areas relevant to Coventry Landlords.

Report a concern about the energy performance rating of your rental property

Report a concern about the energy performance rating of your rental property [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/housing_service_request]