MEES reform: respite for charities, but no reason to delay!

The government has published an interim response on its plans for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic private rented property in England and Wales. The proposal marks a change of approach from previous consultations:

• Privately rented buildings over 1,000 square metres would be required to achieve EPC B by 2031
• Buildings below 1,000 square metres would remain subject to the existing minimum standard of EPC E
• The proposed interim milestone of EPC C by 2027 has been dropped

Further details are expected when the government publishes its full response. 

What might this mean for charities?

Initially, the change is welcome, offering short-term relief for charities already facing rising costs and regulatory demands. The removal of the 2027 interim target gives trustees more time to plan whilst charities with property under 1,000 square metres will not have to achieve an EPC B rating at all.

That said, as trustees will be well aware, it would be a mistake to treat the change as a reason to deprioritise energy efficiency. The existing minimum requirement of EPC E continues to apply to all non-domestic property, unless a valid exemption has been registered, and enforcement risks remain present. For charities with properties over 1,000 square metres, trustees should leverage the additional time to assess their position, plan works and explore exemptions.

Given that charities will tend to find themselves with older and less energy-efficient premises, it is arguable that the charity sector is disproportionately impacted by MEES. However, the rules are here to stay and, in any case, our experience suggests that issues of sustainability and energy efficiency are foremost in charity trustees’ minds.

For trustees, often operating with limited resources, challenges will remain in making their property compliant. Grants and funding may be available, and certain exemptions may also apply, although these are generally limited to specific and relatively narrow circumstances.

So, to summarise and return to the government response, the practical message is one of active preparation rather than postponement: the timetable may have shifted, but energy efficiency remains a live governance and property management issue.