Domestic Private Rented Properties required to meet EPC Band C by October 2030

The Government has published its response to PRS MEES consultation carried out in 2025, setting out the next steps for the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the domestic private rented sector in England and Wales, whilst also confirming key elements of EPC reform, including the metrics that will underpin future compliance.

As proposed, the outcome confirms that PRS MEES will be uplifted to the equivalent of EPC Band C, with a single compliance deadline of 1^st October 2030 for all tenancies in England and Wales. Homes that already hold an EPC at Band C will be treated as compliant under the new regulations until that certificate expires

Where a property is not rated C or above by 1^st October 2029, landlords will need to carry out improvements to meet the new EPC metric standards by 1^st October 2030. To inform these upgrades, landlords must first commission a new EPC showing the updated metrics. Once works are complete, a post-retrofit EPC will also be required by 1^st October 2030 to demonstrate compliance.

New Metrics for compliance confirmed through EPC Reform changes

As confirmed by Government yesterday, the new headline metrics for EPCs will be as below, therefore affecting the requirements for future MEES regulations:

• Energy Cost (current metric)

• Fabric Performance

• Heating System Efficiency

• Smart Readiness

Application of New Metrics for MEES Compliance – “A Dual-Metric Standard”

The application of these metrics for MEES compliance is complex but also provides good flexibility for landlords to meet the requirements. The ways in which a landlord can meet their obligations under the new MEES regulations are as follows:

The property must meet the required standard for Fabric Performance

Then either the required standard for

Heating System Efficiency   OR   Smart Readiness

Cost Cap Exemptions

Landlords will still be able to apply for a cost cap exemption where they have spent £10,000 and the property still does not meet the required rating. This exemption will last for 10 years, and the number of exemptions available will be increased. Once the regulations take effect, eligible improvements funded by landlords from October 2025 will also count towards the cost cap.

Increased Enforcement and Maximum Fines

Government has confirmed a stronger enforcement approach for the uplifted PRS MEES, setting the maximum fine at £30,000 per property, per breach. The intention is to act as an effective deterrent and avoid a scenario where landlords are incentivised to ignore the rules because penalties are similar to, or lower than, the cost of compliance.