MEES Exemptions for Domestic Properties

On our previous page we discussed MEES which applies a minimum required EPC rating on a property for it to be legally rented out in the Private Rental Sector (PRS).

We also mentioned that a number of exemptions were available from this legislation.

More information about these can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-rented-sector-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-exemptions/guidance-on-prs-exemptions-and-exemptions-register-evidence-requirements

Landlord Guidance documentation is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance#registering-an-exemption

..and for reference later when we refer to the term 'Relevant Energy Efficiency Improvements', the actual legislation is available here:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/962/contents

The available exemptions are:

• The 'High Cost' Exemption
• The '7 Year Payback' Exemption (non-domestic only)
• The 'All Improvements Made' Exemption
• The 'Wall Insulation' Exemption
• The 'Consent' Exemption
• The 'Devaluation' Exemption
• The 'New Landlord' Exemption

All of the above are applicable to domestic properties, except for the '7 year payback' exemption.

Let's review each of these exemptions in turn.

WALL INSULATION EXEMPTION

This is where a recommended energy efficiency measure is not considered to be a 'relevant measure' where it is:

• cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation or internal wall insulation (for external walls), and
• where the landlord has obtained written expert advice indicating that the measure is not appropriate for the property due to its potential negative impact on the fabric or structure of the property (or the building of which the property forms a part) - only specific sources of this advice are accepted.

The PRS exemption register is located here:

https://prsregister.beis.gov.uk/

You'll need to setup an account, log in, return to the address above and click the link for 'Search for exemptions'.

You can search using a small number of criteria, including by partial postcode:

Exemptions submitted by a company will have the company name alongside the property address, as shown above with one showing: Wiltshire Council.

Click on the address to view information about the exemption:

Click on the Download EPC link to view the EPC and peruse the list of Recommendatins on it:

So, in this case the EPC was conducted on the 17th April 2024, and the Exemption was registered on the same day.

The exemption type was the Wall Insulation Exemption.

Now, what I am not clear about is whether the landlord should have implemented the other Recommendations on the EPC prior to registering the exemption.

Information to follow here about registering an exemption.