Construction & Property Compliance and licensing UK-wide

Meet energy efficiency standards for let properties

Legal requirement to achieve minimum EPC rating E for residential lettings. Covers England and Wales MEES regulations, exemptions, and penalties for non-compliance.

Guide summary

You must make sure your let properties have an EPC rating of E or better. If your property is rated F or G, you could be fined up to £5,000. Spend up to £3,500 on recommended improvements to get a better rating. If it still cannot reach E, you can register an exemption.

  • Check your property's EPC rating
  • If rating is F or G, get 3 quotes for improvements
  • Spend up to £3,500 on cost-effective measures
  • Get a new EPC after making improvements
  • Register an exemption if property still below E after spending £3,500
  • Keep all receipts and documents to prove compliance
  • Fines up to £2,000 for letting F/G less than 3 months
  • Fines up to £4,000 for letting F/G for 3 months or more
  • Fines up to £1,000 for false information on Exemptions Register
  • Maximum total fine per property is £5,000
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If you let residential property in England or Wales, you must ensure it meets minimum energy efficiency standards. From 1 April 2020, all let properties in England and Wales require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or better under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2015. Letting a property rated F or G in England or Wales is subject to civil enforcement penalties of up to £5,000 unless you have registered a valid exemption.

Penalties for non-compliance

Local authorities can impose civil financial penalties for breaches of MEES regulations:

  • Up to £2,000 for letting a non-compliant property for less than 3 months
  • Up to £4,000 for letting a non-compliant property for 3 months or more
  • Up to £1,000 for providing false or misleading information on the PRS Exemptions Register
  • Maximum £5,000 total penalty per property per breach

Authorities may also publish details of the breach for at least 12 months.

Next steps if your property is below E rating

If your EPC shows F or G rating:

  1. Get three quotes for energy efficiency improvements recommended in the EPC
  2. Install cost-effective measures up to £3,500 (including VAT) - this is your legal obligation
  3. Get a new EPC after improvements to verify the new rating
  4. Register an exemption if property remains below E rating after spending £3,500

Keep all receipts and documentation to prove compliance if challenged.