LANDLORD EPC ADVICE (MEES 2030)
Helping Landlords achieve an EPC "C" rating

Our Landlord EPC consultancy service offers a comprehensive assessment of your property, going beyond the standard recommendations found on an EPC certificate. We provide expert, tailored advice to align with your specific goals before any work begins. We can guide you in making informed decisions.

The objective is to help you achieve an EPC “C” rating or higher in the most cost-effective way. We can evaluate multiple energy improvement options to identify those that deliver the best results and those that are less effective.

This approach empowers you to control your EPC rating by selecting energy upgrades that best suit your needs and budget. Whether you’re planning a full property refurbishment or just a few targeted improvements, this service is highly recommended for anyone aiming to achieve an EPC C rating or above while minimizing costs.

Landlords should be considering four things to get an EPC “C” before 1 October 2030:

  1. Reviewing current EPCs
  2. Commissioning an up to date EPC
  3. Exploring grant and funding options
  4. Creating a phased plan

The sections below explore these options in more depth.

The way EPCs are calculated has regularly changed since its introduction in 2007. The changes reflect updates in building regulations, fuel price changes,  improvements in technology and some new features added and others removed. The latest EER: EPC regulations (RdSAP 10 EER: EPC – 15 June 2025)

FIND YOUR EXISTING EPC

Follow this link to check if you have an existing EPC rating on the governments public online EPC register.

DO NOT USE OLD EPC RECOMMENDATIONS

Whilst the old EPC can still provide some useful information about the property, It’s important NOT to make detailed decisions based on EPC recommendations more than 6 months old. 

For example what may have been a state of the art high efficiency gas boiler, recommended level of loft insulation or the latest double glazing when the EPC was originally undertaken, these elements may now be considered poor.

Over the years landlords may have made improvements to the property that are not reflected in the old EPC.

EPC HEALTH CHECK REPORT (£20)

Based on your existing EPC we offer  a low cost EPC Health Check Report  – This report that gives you an early stage assessment of your property in relation to the upcoming Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) 2030 regulations.

The report is advisory in nature and is intended to help landlords:

  • Understand potential MEES risks
  • Start planning ahead
  • Make informed decisions about energy improvements
  • Sign posting grants and funding
EPC HEALTH CHECK REPORT

Landlords Act Now to lock in MEES Compliance for 10 years under the current EPC rules. 

Band C or above EPCs that are completed before 1 October 2029 using the current RdSAP EPC calculation method should remain valid for 10 years.

This gives landlords more time to decide whether to:

  • Keep the property and plan future improvements
  • Budget for higher-cost upgrades such as heat pumps or solar panels
  • Consider selling or leaving the rental market before the EPC needs renewing.


After 1 October 2029 a new calculation method called the Home Energy Model (HEM) which is expected to cost more and will have stricter regulations.

WHY COMMISSION NEW EPC

  • New EPC uses latest rules and regulations
  • Reflects changes made to the property
  • Uses a qualified and accredited assessor


NEW EPC RATING

  • If the EPC reaches a “C” rating congratulations – No further action needed.
  • New EPC does not reach a C rating -( See below – Planning an EPC “C”)
  •  
COMMISSION A NEW LANDLORD EPC

Below a “C” – You are not alone – An estimated that 2 million private rented properties will need some upgrade work to meet the MEES 2030 band C standards.

MEES COMPLIANCE PLAN

Based on your new EPC, we offer landlords a clear pathway for improving your property’s energy efficiency to meet MEES 2030 requirements. 

With the new data collected the EPC assessor is able to go beyond standard EPC recommendations and using government approved software model scenarios to meet the landlords needs (Lowest cost, Least tenant disruption, most eco friendly etc…

The MEES Compliance Plan includes:

  • Practical improvement measures
  • Cost and disruption indicators
  • Expected energy rating improvements
  • Grant funding sources
  • MEES Exemption Categories
  • Information to create a phased implementation
MEES COMPLIANCE PLAN >

To encourage landlords to upgrade in advance of the MEES 2030 deadline the following transition arrangements have been agreed by the Government:  

TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS

  • Under a “Grandparenting” clause, properties achieving an EPC C or better under the current EER: EPC system before 1 October 2029 will be considered valid until the EPC expires in 10 years

  • This is important for landlords, as the existing EER:EPC rules gives more flexibility in the ways to achieve a cost effective band “C” compared to the stricter new Home Energy Model (HEM: EPC) where gas boilers are unlikely to meet a new band C without putting in place additional costly measures like Solar panels

  • Appropriate expenditure on energy improvements from 1 October 2025 will count towards a new £10,000 cost cap exemption.

 

UNDERSTANDING HOW EPCs ARE CALCULATED
(EER) Energy Efficiency Rating V (HEM) Home Energy Model

EXISTING EER:EPCs (Cost Based). The existing way of measuring EPCs is based on the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), which assesses the estimated cost of heating, lighting, and hot water in a property. 

The calculation and data collection method used for new homes or conversions is called the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and for existing dwellings the Reduced data SAP (RdSAP). SAP was first published in 1993 and has been updated periodically, in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2012 and SAP10.2/RdSAP10 2025, June 2026 RdSAP 10.0.0.1.

The EER will be replaced by the new Home Energy Model (HEM), a dual metric standard, on 1 October 2029, after a transition period when both metrics will be available from the end of 2026.

NEW HEM:EPC methodology for EPCs. It is a two-step methodology, that is still subject to consultation:

  • The first step is that a property must meet the Fabric Performance Metric, which measures the insulation, window quality etc. This will be like the current EPC but excluding heating systems.
  • The second step, and this is where the big change is, landlords will need to either meet:
    • The Heating System Metric (which is basically a heat pump – even an efficient gas boiler would fail this metric)

    • OR the Smart Readiness Metric (which is another word for “micro-generation”, such as solar panels).


When a pre-1 October 2029 EPC Cs expires, landlords will need to invest in either a heat pump or solar panels, as well as having a well insulated property (although there is an exemption for wall insulation).

We can also advise landlords registering an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register – if they fail to meet a C by 1 Oct 2030. 

MEES 2030 EXEMPTIONS

NEW LANDLORD EXEMPTION

If a property is purchased with tenants in place, landlords would have 6 months to comply before enforcement begins. They must officially register for an exemption, including any exemptions the previous owner had, as they do not automatically transfer to a new owner.

LOW VALUE PROPERTY EXEMPTION

The normal spending cost cap on energy improvements of £10,000 applies to properties worth £100,000 or more. For properties under £100,000 the cost cap would be set at £10,000 or 10% of the property’s value, whichever is lower.

ALL RELEVANT IMPROVEMENTS MADE EXEMPTION

No further recommendations on the EPC or from an approved report showing no further improvements possible, and the property remains below the standard.


SOLID WALL INSULATION EXEMPTION

A 10 year exemption where a landlord could choose not to install solid wall insulation, if this is the only remaining measure available to bring the property up to standard against the Fabric Performance Metric. The decision will need to be fully documented.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS EXEMPTION

This 10 year exemption will combine two existing exemptions and additionally allows landlords to evidence when a measure would negatively impact their property.

THIRD PARTY CONSET EXEMPTION

This is an existing exemption – see the government guidance.

Key points:

  • The third-party consent exemption applies where improvements needed require consent from the freeholder, planning authorities, mortgage company or the tenant, and they deny the consent.
  • The landlord can register for an exemption if “despite best efforts that consent cannot be obtained or is given subject to conditions which cannot be reasonably complied with”.
  • The exemption lasts 5 years, but where it concerns a lack of tenant consent, it will last until the tenancy ends or is assigned to a new tenant, and then the landlord would need to carry out the work.

 

PRS EXEMPTIONS REGISTER

Key Points

  • Registration is completed online via GOV.UK.
  • A valid EPC must always be uploaded.
  • Supporting evidence must match the selected exemption.
  • Submissions cannot be edited once filed.
  • Local authorities can request evidence and enforce penalties.

 

PRS Exemptions Register: https://prsregister.beis.gov.uk/
Official GOV.UK Guidance: Click here

 WARM HOMES LOCAL GRANT (WHLG)

A government-funded scheme delivered through local authorities providing grants to help low-income households in the private rented sector upgrade insulation and heating. Covers measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, heat pumps, and low-carbon heating systems. Eligibility: Available to landlords whose tenants are on means-tested benefits or have a low household income. Funding is allocated to local councils – contact your local authority to check availability and apply.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-local-grant

 

BOILER UPGRADE SCHEME (BUS)

Boiler Upgrade Scheme Provides upfront grants to replace fossil-fuel boilers with low-carbon heating systems. Current grant levels: £7,500 for air source heat pumps, £7,500 for ground source heat pumps, and £5,000 for biomass boilers (in rural areas only). Grants are paid directly to the installer and deducted from your installation cost. Eligibility: Available to property owners in England and Wales. The property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. Applications are made through an MCS-certified installer.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme

 

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

Obligates large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in the homes of low-income and vulnerable households. Covers insulation, heating upgrades, solar panels, and more. Works are fully or partially funded at no cost to eligible households. Eligibility: Available to tenants receiving certain benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit) or referred through local authority flex criteria. Landlords must agree to allow works. Apply via your tenant’s energy supplier or through the Simple Energy Advice service.

https://www.gov.uk/energy-company-obligation

For general advice, visit: https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk