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This page covers the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for the private rented sector (PRS) in England and Wales. It explains the rules currently in force, the confirmed changes coming in 2030, and what landlords should do now. It is updated as legislation progresses.
Last reviewed: June 2026.
The current rules apply to all privately rented domestic properties in England and Wales that are legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and are let on an assured, regulated or domestic agricultural tenancy.
Landlords cannot grant a new tenancy or continue an existing tenancy if the property has an EPC rating of F or G. The property must achieve at least band E, or the landlord must hold a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register.
Where the landlord cannot reach band E within the cost cap, they may apply for an exemption. A draft EPC and a MEES report are typically required to support the application.
A local authority can serve a financial penalty for non-compliance. The limits under the current regime are:
The maximum total amount a landlord can be fined per property under the current regime is £5,000.
Commercial MEES rules also require a minimum EPC rating of E. Landlords cannot grant new tenancies or continue existing tenancies for properties rated F or G, unless they hold a valid exemption registered on the PRS Exemptions Register, or they have made all relevant energy efficiency improvements and the property still cannot reach band E.
Enforcement authorities may impose the following penalties for commercial properties:
Note: This page focuses on domestic private rented properties. Commercial MEES requirements are subject to separate consultations; always check the latest guidance from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
A publication penalty means a local authority may publish the following information on the PRS Exemptions Register:
On 21 January 2026, as part of the Warm Homes Plan, the government confirmed that the domestic PRS minimum standard will rise to EPC C by 1 October 2030. This is a confirmed policy direction, not a consultation: the government has stated its intention clearly. However, it is not yet enacted law (see legislation status below).
| Requirement | Current rules (in force) | Confirmed new standard (from 1 Oct 2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum EPC band | E | C |
| Cost cap per property | £3,500 (inc. VAT) | £10,000 (inc. VAT) |
| Maximum financial penalty per property | Up to £5,000 total | Up to £30,000 |
| Improvement approach | Any qualifying measures | Fabric-first, then heating system or smart readiness |
| Grandfathering | Not applicable | Properties rated C before 1 Oct 2029 remain compliant until that EPC expires |
The EPC C by 2030 standard is confirmed policy but not yet enacted legislation. To bring it into force, the government must:
The government has stated it aims to have this legislation in force in 2027, giving landlords several years to plan and carry out improvements before the October 2030 deadline.
In addition to the MEES threshold change, the government is reforming the EPC system itself. The proposed changes include replacing the single EPC band with four separate metrics: fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness and energy use. These reforms would affect how properties are assessed and whether they meet future MEES requirements. For a full explanation of what the four-metric system means for landlords and property owners, see our EPC changes explained page.
Easy EPC provides domestic EPCs and MEES consultancy reports across England and Wales. Our accredited assessors visit the property and our technical team prepares a report setting out which improvements are needed, in what order, and at what cost, so you can plan your compliance pathway before the 2030 deadline.
Our MEES consultancy service produces a comprehensive, easy-to-follow report showing multiple scenarios for how to bring a property to the required band. We tailor this to the property and the landlord's budget. This is available as our MEES Consultancy service.
If you need to register a property on the PRS Exemptions Register, our extensive MEES report is designed for this purpose. It demonstrates the maximum cost of installing each measure before it becomes MEES exempt, and, combined with quotes from three sources, it provides the evidence needed to support an exemption application.