LANDLORDS

Private Landlords in Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Taunton and throughout the South West.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), Home Insulation Assessments & Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

WERE YOUR RENTALS MEES READY FOR 1st APRIL 2020?

If you have properties heated by Electricity or Coal, you might qualify for a Free Central Heating System – even if the property is rated F or G. Great for Flats!

On 1/4/18 the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for Privately Rented Domestic Properties came into force.

Are you concerned about the changes to energy efficiency regulations affecting your domestic rental properties?

We may be able to help you. Owing to some major updates to the datasets used within the EPC software, the answer may be nothing more than just an updated EPC.

Also non-repayable Grants for improving the levels of home insulation are still available to qualifying tenants.

What are the MEES and Regulations?

Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property (England & Wales)) Regulations 2015, MEES, from 1^st April 2018, it will be unlawful to let out domestic properties which have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of F or G.

Why were the MEES and Regulations introduced for Private Landlords?

The regulations were made to improve energy efficiency of privately rented homes. Thus helping to meet UK targets of CO₂  emission reductions under the Energy Act 2011.

Who does MEES affect and when?

From 1^st April 2018, the regulations apply to private landlords/property owners upon granting a lease to a new tenant, or lease renewals to an existing tenant.

In order to comply, all properties must meet MEES by undertaking permissible, appropriate and cost-effective improvements, unless exempt. Properties which are let on tenancies of more than 99 years, or less than 6 months, and some regulated tenancies such as housing associations will be excluded.

The regulations apply to all privately rented properties by private landlords within the scope of the regulations from 1^st April 2020.

What are the Penalties for non-compliance with MEES?

Fines of up to £5,000 can be enforced against private landlords, depending on the type of infringement and the length of non-compliance. A tenant can raise a case with the First-Tier General Regulatory Chamber if they feel a private landlord is non-compliant.

Are there any exemptions?

The “no cost” exemption was removed on 1/4/20

On 31/3/20 all “no cost” exemptions were deleted from the Exemption Register. Full Stop! 

You must be able to show that you have spent at least £3,500 in an attempt to bring the EPC rating of the property up to an E in order to re-register an exemption.

Until then Landlords may be exempt when:

• The property is excluded from having an EPC
• Improvements are not cost-effective, either within a 7 years payback period or under the Green Deal (it is on its way back)
• It has been independently verified that improvements may decrease the value of the property by 5% or more
• Required third party consent cannot be obtained.

What Government Grants are available to me?

From April 2017, the Grant system has been simplified and an energy assessment is no longer required. Instead, the Government have “deemed” an amount of Carbon Emission savings for each type of property. We then sell these Carbon Emission savings to one of the Gas and Electricity companies.  That is how it is funded. We all pay an amount on our fuel bills towards this fund, so yes, we pay for it, as usual.

The Standard Home Insulation Grant that everyone qualified for (even Richard Branson) has been withdrawn.

The Enhanced Home Insulation Grant – which you have to qualify for, by way of benefits and allowances, has been broadened. Many people who did not qualify for this grant in the past will now qualify.

Click here to see what qualifies for a Government Insulation Grant.

Flexible Funding Grants – A new type of Grant called “Flexible Funding” has also been introduced, which is not based on Government benefits/allowances. To find out more go here

Cavity Wall Insulation Grants – In nearly all cases the insulation grant will cover the full cost.

Loft Insulation Grants – Grants are only available for lofts with no more than 100mm of existing insulation. If your tenant qualifies for a Grant it may still not cover the full cost.