Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations were introduced by the government in 2018.
The regulations were introduced to improve the quality of private rented buildings in England and Wales, to increase the energy efficiency of the worst performing houses and buildings, to improve the comfort and conditions in privately rented homes and reduce fuel poverty.
From April 2020 privately rented properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E at the minimum.
The legislation prevents landlords from renting out a property with a rating of F or G. This applies to new and existing tenancies.
For more information please see guidance for landlords.
How to view your EPC
An EPC will give an energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact rating. It will also estimate the energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, lighting, heating and hot water per year, along with the potential annual costs for each.
If a property has been marketed for sale or to let, or it has been modified in the past 10 years, it should have an EPC.
Check your EPC rating by post code.
Is there any support available to landlords or tenants?
Caerphilly County Borough Council is working hard to offer help and support to landlords and tenants to upgrade their properties to the required standards.
Currently NEST and ECO Flex working with Warm Wales can offer a wide range of support for landlords and their properties if eligible.
Please click on the links below for more information on what help is available:
Enforcement
It is the responsibility of Caerphilly CBC to investigate any potential breaches of the regulations. Unless a landlord notifies us of an exemption, all letters will be followed up with an enforcement notice and a possible inspection visit which may result in fines of up to £5,000. All landlords are strongly advised to take action and speak to their tenants and other interested parties.
Government Initiatives
Caerphilly CBC is one of 59 Local Authorities that have won a government funding scheme to help promote and enforce compliance of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for private rented properties.
This in conjunction with new government grant initiatives like Green Home Finance programme, part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, will support high-street lenders, financial technology businesses, energy suppliers and others to pioneer world-class innovation into new finance products which will make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to switch to low carbon heating.
This is likely to include piloting of cutting-edge heat pumps, glazing and insulation, as well as green finance services such as green mortgages and green equity releases.
For more information please see Clampdown on landlords with funding boost for councils.