Consultation recommends major changes to EPCs and MEES

Across February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ran a consultation to understand perception and opinion and gain suggestions on how to reform the Energy Performance of Buildings framework.

From the consultation, it was decided that a priority should be placed on implementing changes to how energy performance certificates, display energy certificates, and air conditioning reports are issued.

The suggestions include:

Metrics

• Fabric performance – owners/landlords that apply the “fabric first” principle and its practices, which aim to improve the insulation and thermal performance of their buildings, will see these efforts being measured for their effectiveness
• “Energy cost” – assessors will be looking at the carbon emissions per square metre of the building to ensure they aren’t unreasonable. “Energy cost” is often used in the residential property sector, whereas commercial properties must prioritise the environment over economic factors
• Heating system – boilers that rely on fossil fuels are slowly being replaced by air- and ground-sourced heat pumps, but even boilers can be improved through new pipes and regular maintenance
• Smart readiness – similarly, preparing your building for a building management system, connected lighting, or even a smart meter, is being recognised more and more as a valuable commodity, and may soon go towards a better EPC rating

EPC validity period

We are expecting the consultation to recommend decreasing the validity period of EPCs, ensuring that certificates must be renewed more often. It is currently every 10 years, but recommendations between 2 and 7 years have been put forward.

A valid EPC throughout the tenancy

EPCs can expire during a tenancy, and owners/landlords are not required to renew it until their next tenancy. Consultation has suggested that this is not appropriate given businesses often take on long-term lets.

Listed buildings

Currently, a lot of listed buildings are exempt from regular EPC regulations due to their architectural and historical significance.

However, the current regulations are quite confusing, which has compelled the recommendation that all listed buildings should have an EPC. There will, as with all buildings, be exemptions, but property owners should not assume immunity until it is given.

Compliance and penalties

Data access rights within the Environment Agency, which enforce EPCs and MEES, have not been updated since 2007. The consultation has brought forth the request to reevaluate and improve data-sharing powers and enforcement processes.

When will these EPC changes happen?

The Government is planning to respond to the nationwide consultation by Summer 2025, but is treating the issues with significant importance as energy security continues to be a topic of great concern.

What is the Energy Performance of Buildings framework?

The Energy Performance of Buildings framework helped to standardise carbon reduction across sectors, and to ensure that occupiers were living and working in safe and sustainable buildings. The framework has shaped the structure for the government’s Net Zero objectives over the past decade, and continues to be used by the property industry as a standard.