Currently, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard to which all privately-rented properties must conform is the achievement of an Energy Performance rating: ‘E’.
However, in recent years, there has been discussion and ins some cases concern that these properties would need to achieve a ‘C’ rating by a set point in 2025. Ryan Hunter |EPCs has been contacted several times over the course of recent months in the hopes that this concern could be discussed in more detail. Ryan Hunter | EPCs had been aware of this aim, proposed by the previous Conservative Government, and until now has been able to shed much light on the validity of this requirement that both private landlords and those considering renting out their homes have been understandably worried about.
This month, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) under this new Labour Government has released a consultation: ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales’. This consultation makes clear that the responses to the 2020 consultation (overseeing the same matter) alongside any and all responses to the new 2025 consultation will be discussed together In detail after the closing date for the responses to the current consultation is closed. Then, and only then, will the UK Government seek to provide their response to both consultations in full.
As a result, Ryan Hunter |EPCs can confirm that ‘the previous government consulted in 2020 on proposals to raise standards, but a response to the consultation was not published.’1 This means that, for the time-being at least, landlords and those wishing to be, needn’t over-concern themselves. For, without a Government response and approval be DESNZ, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation would likely not be able to implement a new MEES rating.
Please NOTE: This summary is only Ryan Hunter | EPCs take on the new 2025 consultation. For peace of mind and for those landlords seeking clarification, please do read through the newly-released consultation to have your say. Similarly, tenants too can provide their responses. This consultation is aimed toward anyone remotely involved in the Privately Rented Sector.
To view the newly-released 2025 consultation please click here.
- ‘Executive Summary’ in Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales (February 2025), p.10. ↩︎