UKGBC reacts to consultation on domestic MEES amendment

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today reacted to the publication of a Government consultation from the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for domestic buildings.

From April 2018, it will be illegal to privately let a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G, notwithstanding certain exemptions. MEES regulations were introduced in 2015 to give private landlords the opportunity to upgrade their property, subject to the availability of the Green Deal finance scheme. The first Green Deal scheme was scrapped in the summer of 2015, and the Government has now published proposals to replace the ill-fated scheme with a cost cap of £2,500 for landlords to make improvements to their property. The cap will mean that landlords are obliged to spend up to £2,500 on energy efficiency improvements, but can apply for an exemption if these do not bring the property up to EPC band E.

Richard Twinn, policy advisor at UKGBC said:

“Ever since the demise of the first Green Deal, it has been clear that introducing a cost-cap is the only effective way to implement the minimum standards regulations for privately rented homes. So, after a year and a half of waiting, it is encouraging to see these proposals finally published.

“Unfortunately, the proposals included in this consultation risk further watering down this vital policy. The Government’s own figures show that setting the cap at just £2,500 per property will mean that the vast majority of the coldest rented properties – 70% of F & G rated properties –  will not even need to meet the minimum standard of EPC band E. This could leave a gaping hole in the Government’s plans to meet its own fuel poverty targets and raises questions about whether the Clean Growth Strategy can be delivered, just two months after its publication.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Details of the consultation are available here.

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