Property Industry News

How will the MEES changes from the 1st April 2023 affect you?

Our Property Manager Charlotte Steggles and our Building Surveyor Paul Rogers have been advising their clients on the upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards. Here’s what they have to say…

In recent years there have been a lot of changes to the legislation in relation to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEES) and there are further changes coming.

Landlords are required by law to ensure that their properties meet the required EPC rating. Currently, all commercial property must hold an EPC rating of band ‘E’ or better prior to any new leases or renewals being granted, there are some exemptions. From 1 April 2023 this will be extended to all rented commercial properties including those where leases are mid-term, even if the lease was granted prior to the MEES Regulations coming into force in 2018.  It is understood that the legislation applies only to those properties which already have a current EPC and that those properties either without an EPC  or with an expired EPC will not require a new EPC to be completed.

It is imperative that property owners and managers start to assess their property portfolios to get ahead of the curve and make sure that, come April 2023, they will not be liable to face a fine. The fines system will replicate the current penalty for non-compliance, which is based on 10-20% of the rateable value, with a minimum fine of £10,000 and a maximum fine of £150,000.

We have already undertaken a review of our managed property portfolio and are working with our clients whose properties are non-compliant. Our building consultancy team can provide the technical and property advice necessary to support you as you prepare for the EPC Regulations coming into force on 1 April 2023.  From pre-acquisition advice, reviewing leases to establish liability and the preparation of programmes of planned maintenance schedules for budget purposes, to supporting you to implement improvement works, as well as advising on your dilapidations liability, we can help.

Please get in touch for more information.