MEES C & New EPC Methodology

Incoming EPC reforms could increase the difficulty in achieving a ‘C’ rating, an expected requirement for both private and social rented homes from 2030.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are planned to be set at an EPC ‘C’ level from 2030. The Government prefers for this to be on a new fabric performance metric rather than the running cost measure which underpins current EPC ratings. A secondary metric related to the heating system or smart readiness may also be used.

Changing the methodology in this way could make EPC ratings more sensitive to fabric improvements – such as insulation levels, glazing, and airtightness – and less sensitive to improvements in services. Under the current methodology, measures which reduce reliance on comparatively expensive grid electricity are most effective at improving the energy rating, such as PV panels. In some cases this can be at the expense of thermal improvements.

Whilst the proposed standard for private and social rented properties are the same, there are key differences in how this could be applied. For instance, the proposed cap for retrofit works is £15,000 for private landlords, but £10,000 for social landlords. More detail can be found in the two separate consultations.

EPC reform is proposed from the second half of 2026. For more information see our article from December.