MEES Regulations for
Commercial Properties

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set the lowest EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating that a commercial landlord may legally let a property at. This article explains the current legal position for non-domestic properties, the government's plans for raising the bar, and what commercial landlords should do now.

The Current Legal Minimum: EPC E

Since 1 April 2018, MEES have applied to all commercial lettings in England and Wales. An F or G rated commercial property can no longer legally be let, whether under a new tenancy or an existing one renewed after that date. The minimum rating a landlord must hold before granting or continuing a tenancy is EPC E.

This is the only hard commercial MEES rule currently in force. Any property that cannot reach EPC E must either be improved to meet the standard or registered for a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register before it is let.

Coming Next: EPC B by 2031 for Larger Buildings

In June 2026 the government set out the next stage of commercial MEES, raising the bar well above EPC E:

• Larger buildings: all rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 m² are set to require EPC B by 2031.
• Smaller buildings: those under 1,000 m² stay at the current EPC E minimum for now.
• An earlier interim EPC C step has been dropped, so the focus is firmly on reaching EPC B.
• Existing exemptions and the seven-year payback rule are expected to continue.

The standard will be set in regulations, with the final detail confirmed in due course, but the direction is clear. With 2031 approaching and most commercial stock currently below EPC B, landlords of larger buildings should start planning improvements now to spread the cost and avoid a last-minute scramble. EPC E remains the minimum you must meet today.

What Does This Mean for Commercial Landlords?

Any commercial landlord whose property carries an F or G rating must either improve it to a minimum of EPC E or register a valid exemption before the property can be let. Even though future targets beyond EPC E are still proposals, acting early is advisable: bringing a building up to EPC C or B now avoids rushed expenditure later and protects against tightening rules.

A commercial EPC is the starting point. Once you have a current certificate, Easy EPC's technical team can advise on the most cost-effective improvement route for your specific building.

Find out whether an exemption might apply to your property.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Letting an F or G rated commercial property without a valid exemption can result in a financial penalty of up to £150,000. Penalties are enforced by local weights and measures authorities and can also include publication of the breach in the national register.

How Can Landlords Improve Their Properties?

The default Recommendation Report issued with every commercial EPC gives a general overview, but it is not tailored to your property or the specific improvement needed to reach a target band. Easy EPC's specialist technical team can produce a personalised improvement report covering multiple scenarios, costed and ranked by impact.

Our typical process:

1. If we have not surveyed your property within the last six months, or if changes have been made, we will visit to collect accurate data for a new SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) assessment.

2. Our desk-based technical team prepares your personalised report, setting out the most practical improvement measures and their likely rating impact.

3. Once improvement works are complete, we revisit to issue your improved EPC. If the revisit falls within six months of the original survey, we offer a discounted rate.

Last reviewed: June 2026