MINIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
UPDATED: 18 June 2021
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 mean that, from April 2018, private non-domestic and domestic landlords must ensure that properties they rent in England and Wales reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a tenancy to new or existing tenants. These requirements will apply to all private rented non-domestic and domestic properties. This has now been extended including properties where there has been no change in the tenancy arrangements which is now enforced as from 1st April 2020.
These guidance documents are aimed at both non-domestic and domestic landlords, Local Weights and Measures enforcement authorities and others with an interest in the private rental sector, such as letting agents and other property management agencies. The document provides guidance and advice on:
- Scope of the regulations: the steps a landlord should take to determine whether their property is covered by the regulations, and the steps they should take to ensure their property complies with the minimum level of energy efficiency;
- Relevant improvements: how a landlord can identify appropriate energy efficiency improvements for their property;
- Cost effectiveness: how a landlord can calculate whether particular improvements would be cost effective to install;
- Exemptions and exclusions: the exemptions framework and the steps a landlord should take to register a valid exemption;
- Enforcement: the enforcement framework and the options open to enforcement authorities when policing compliance with the minimum standards, including information on fines and other penalty options;
- The appeals framework: landlord appeals will be heard by the First-tier Tribunal, part of the court system administered by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service; the guidance discusses the steps a landlord will need to take to lodge an appeal, and how that process will be run.
Where a landlord believes that an F or G EPC rated property they let qualifies for an exemption from the minimum energy efficiency standard, an exemption must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.
Useful Links
GUIDANCE ON PRS EXEMPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS REGISTER EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
DOMESTIC MINIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS GUIDANCE
NON DOMESTIC MINIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS GUIDANCE (COMMERCIAL)
COVID-19 ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES GUIDANCE
GOV.UK GREEN HOMES GRANT 2020 GUIDANCE
What Can We Offer…
At Convert Surveyors, if the property fails to meet MEES standards, we are Trustmark qualified Retrofit Assessors ensuring assistance to help you improve sub-standard building regulations.
We will look at your current EPC and offer advice to bring buildings to the new renting standards. Once the improvements have been made, we will carry out a new assessment on the property and issue a new EPC to prevent you facing a possible fine.
REMEMBER: A civil penalty of up to £4,000 will be imposed for breaches.
DEEMED SCORE SURVEY
The Reach of Deemed Scores
The total number of pre determined deemed scores are likely to exceed 11,000, created from over 22,000 SAP calculations. The survey of the dwelling by a suitably qualified and experienced Assessor or Surveyor is essential to ensure an accurate score. However, this might not be the case when deemed scores are implemented into the assessment process.
However, Deemed Scores are likely to benefit installers and the utility companies, in that it allows for quicker and cheaper assessments, along with de-risking the carbon calculation by having it pre-prescribed.
The Impact of Deemed Scores
Unfortunately, deemed scores will be an estimation of the carbon savings from that type of property, which will have an impact on those properties which are 'non-standard' or 'unusual' in their construction.
The industry has strong views on maintaining an RdSAP EPC assessment as an alternative to deemed scores in certain circumstances, especially with the evaluation of solid wall properties suitable for external wall insulation. ECO's strategy by 2020 is to ensure as many people as possible are living in a home with an EPC rating of E or above.
Our Analysis
Convert Surveyors believe that deemed scores and the accuracy of the assessment will ensure that the right properties and the residents who live in them continue to benefit from ECO funding. As with all government schemes, there will be those organisations which see opportunity to exploit loopholes and fraudulent fortuity in the assessment process. It's imperative that we work together to ensure this behaviour is identified and reported to Ofgem as soon as reasonably practicable.
Convert Surveyors can offer surveys to determine what is required. Call us on 07525 783965
