Landlords seeking clarity on the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) can now refer to full guidelines issued by the government.
From 1st April 2018, landlords will not be able to let a property as part of a new tenancy if that property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of less than ‘E’.
Recently it was reported that around 200,000 privately rented homes might not meet the new energy efficiency standards, so The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a 95-page document giving full guidance to landlords and local authorities.
The full document can be viewed here.
Any privately rented properties with a current EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’ will need to undergo improvements to ensure their ratings rise to ‘E’ or above by next April. However, the new regulations only apply to new tenancies and tenancy renewals. It is not until April 2020 when the new regulations will apply to all existing tenancies.
Though some landlords may need to make improvements to their properties, but they should be able to do so using third party finance.
Energy efficiency improvements will of course benefit tenants in terms of reducing energy bills, but they will also benefit landlords. The benefits to landlords include fewer voids, lower maintenance costs, and a property that’s easier to let and sell.
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