MEES for Commercial Property: The Complete Landlord Guide
Written by Scott Jones, founder of CommercialPropertyKiln · Last updated
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Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set the lowest EPC rating at which you can lawfully let commercial property. Get this wrong and the property becomes unlettable, with penalties on top.
The minimum standard is EPC E
Since 1 April 2023 it has been unlawful to continue letting a non-domestic property with an EPC rating of F or G, unless a valid exemption is registered. The rule first applied to new lettings and renewals from 1 April 2018, then extended to all existing lettings from April 2023.
In practice: if your commercial property is rated F or G, you cannot let it, renew a lease, or continue an existing letting without either improving it to E or registering an exemption.
What about EPC C and B?
There is a lot of out-of-date guidance online. To be clear about where the law actually stands:
- The minimum to let is EPC E, now.
- A proposal to require EPC B by 2031 applies only to buildings over 1,000 square metres, and it is announced, not law. It needs secondary legislation to take effect. See MEES future targets.
- The previously proposed EPC C by 2027 and EPC B by 2030 were withdrawn. Anything still stating those as firm deadlines is wrong.
Penalties
Penalties are based on rateable value and how long the breach lasts, up to 50,000 pounds for a breach under three months and up to 150,000 pounds for a breach of three months or more. There is also publication of the breach. See MEES penalties.
Your options if the rating is too low
You can improve the property to at least E, or register a valid exemption. See MEES exemptions and improving a commercial EPC, and weigh the cost with our MEES upgrade calculator.
What is the minimum EPC rating to let commercial property?
EPC E, in force since 1 April 2023. A property rated F or G cannot be let without a valid registered exemption.
What are the penalties for breaching MEES?
Up to 50,000 pounds for a breach under three months, and up to 150,000 pounds for a breach of three months or more, by rateable value, plus publication.