Since 2008, there has been a legal requirement for landlords to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in order to sell or let a property.
In 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) was introduced to improve the energy efficiency of privately rented homes and buildings.
Under this standard, all rental properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of at least ‘E’.
By April 2020, this requirement extended to all existing tenancies, not just new ones.
This means that if your property has an EPC rating below ‘E’, you are not legally allowed to let it.
Local authorities hold the authority to impose fines of £500 if you fail to provide your tenant with a copy of the EPC, and up to £5,000 if you don’t have a valid EPC.
If the property has a low energy rating, and the landlord believes the property cannot be improved to meet the minimum ‘E’ rating they can apply for an exemption from the MEES regulations.
In line with the current regulations, some properties may be exempt from EPC regulations if the cost for upgrades to meet the requirements goes beyond £3,500.