Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

If you are planning on renting an existing dwelling you will require an EPC within 28 days of marketing the property. The energy performance certificate provides any property with an energy rating between ‘G’ (being the lowest) and ‘A’ (being the highest) and allows the public to compare the predicted running cost of different houses.

It is now illegal under the MEES legalisation to rent any dwelling that is deemed to be within the lower two bands of an EPC ‘G’ or ‘F’ unless the landlord has completed all the relevant documentation to lodge a MEES exemption.

Ashby Energy Assessors have a wealth of experience and expertise when providing the advice needed to get a property out of a ‘G’ or ‘F’ band. We are able to provide significantly more options to ensure compliance, along with approximate costs and people who can perform the work.

EPCs are a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings in the European Union. The building is given a rating between A – G and provides tips on how to improve the rating.

It is a legal requirement to have an EPC to sell or rent any property, for both commercial and domestic and the assessment must be carried out by an accredited competent person.

Factors taken into account for EPC assessment:

• Size and dimensions of the property
• Insulation
• Construction details
• What forms of lighting are being used
• Heating system and controls
• Ventilation

Using these details, either a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) or SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) assessment can be undertaken and an EPC produced for that property.

Domestic EPCs are a reflection of the running cost of a house and to demonstrate the energy efficiency of the property, whereas commercial EPCs are a reflection of carbon emissions of the property being assessed.

Ashby Energy have undertaken thousands of EPCs on all types of properties and also offer guidance on compliance and how best to prepare for assessment.