The 2030 MEES target requires all rented properties to reach EPC C — here is who must comply
If you let a property in England or Wales, the minimum energy efficiency standard is about to tighten significantly. The current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) have required an EPC rating of E for new tenancies since 2018, and for all tenancies since 2020 (GOV.UK, 2026).
Landlord MEES 2030 requires EPC C for all new tenancies from 2030, affecting around 1.1 million properties rated D or below. Exemptions include a £3,500 spend cap and listed property protections, but must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.
- Check your property's EPC rating now – D or below needs upgrades before 2030.
- Spend up to £3,500 on cost-effective improvements to qualify for a high-cost exemption.
- Register all exemptions on the PRS Exemptions Register within five years.
- Listed properties may be exempt with a surveyor's report following Historic England guidance.
- Renew seven-year payback exemptions every five years if still valid.
- The 2030 MEES target requires all rented properties to reach EPC C — here is who must comply
- Which landlords are exempt from the 2030 EPC C requirement — and which are not
- Quick numbers — EPC bands, costs, and grant amounts for 2030 compliance
- The direct answer to "What is the 2030 MEES requirement for landlords?" — EPC C for new tenancies
- How to verify your installer is certified for MEES work — MCS, TrustMark, and Gas Safe Register
- Grants available to landlords for 2030 EPC C compliance — ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- How to check if your property already meets the 2030 EPC C target — and what to do if it does not
From 2030, the government plans to raise the minimum to EPC C for all new tenancies, and by 2035 for all existing tenancies (DESNZ, 2026). This means around 1.1 million privately rented properties in England currently rated D or below will need upgrading before 2030 to avoid penalties.
The requirement applies to landlords of domestic private rented properties in England and Wales. Scotland has separate regulations under the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (Scottish Government, 2026). Exemptions exist for properties where cost-effective improvements up to a £3,500 cap cannot achieve EPC C, but these must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register (DESNZ, 2026).
Which landlords are exempt from the 2030 EPC C requirement — and which are not
Landlords who registered a valid seven-year payback exemption before 2026 may still be exempt if the improvements do not pay back within seven years (DESNZ, 2026). This exemption lasts five years and must be renewed.
If you have spent up to the £3,500 cap on all cost-effective improvements but the property still cannot reach EPC C, you can register a “high cost” exemption. This requires evidence of the work done and quotes for any remaining measures (DESNZ, 2026).
Properties listed as Grade I or II* may be exempt if improvements would unacceptably alter their character. You must provide a written report from a qualified surveyor following Historic England guidance (Historic England, 2026). Landlords with no legal right to install improvements, such as tenant refusal or planning restrictions, can register a “consent” exemption valid for five years (DESNZ, 2026).
Be aware: exemptions are not automatic. You must register each one on the PRS Exemptions Register before the compliance deadline or face penalties.
Quick numbers — EPC bands, costs, and grant amounts for 2030 compliance
| EPC band | Estimated cost to reach C | Available grant (typical) | Number of affected properties (England) |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | £5,000–£10,000 | ECO4: up to £10,000 for insulation and heating; BUS: £7,500 for heat pump | ~600,000 |
| E | £8,000–£15,000 | ECO4: up to £10,000; GBIS: free loft and cavity wall insulation | ~350,000 |
| F | £12,000–£20,000 | ECO4: up to £10,000; BUS: £7,500 for heat pump | ~100,000 |
| G | £15,000–£25,000 | ECO4: up to £10,000; GBIS: free insulation | ~50,000 |
Sources: Energy Saving Trust, 2026; DESNZ, 2026.
EPC C for new tenancies
From 2030, all new tenancies granted in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of C or above (DESNZ, 2026). Existing tenancies must comply by 2035, but landlords should begin planning now to avoid a rush on installers and grants.
The requirement applies to the whole property, not just the let area. A valid EPC certificate must be lodged on the EPC Register (GOV.UK, 2026). Non-compliance can result in a penalty of up to £30,000 per property, plus “name and shame” publication on a public register (DESNZ, 2026).
If you are unsure whether your property already meets the target, check its current EPC rating now. How to check your EPC rating and what to do if it is too low
How to verify your installer is certified for MEES work — MCS, TrustMark, and Gas Safe Register
For measures like heat pumps or solar panels, the installer must be MCS-certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) for the work to qualify for grants or to count toward EPC improvement (MCS, 2026). Without MCS certification, you cannot claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or ECO4 funding for these measures.
TrustMark registration is required for any installer carrying out work under government schemes such as ECO4 or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Check the TrustMark database before hiring (TrustMark, 2026).
Gas Safe Register is mandatory for any gas boiler work, including upgrades to A-rated condensing boilers (Gas Safe Register, 2026). FENSA certification is needed for replacement windows and doors to meet Building Regulations (FENSA, 2026).
Always ask for proof of certification before work starts. Uncertified work can invalidate grants and may not count toward your EPC score.
Grants available to landlords for 2030 EPC C compliance — ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) provides funding for insulation, heating controls, and heat pumps for low-income households. Landlords can access it if their tenants meet eligibility criteria, typically those receiving certain benefits (Ofgem, 2026).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers £7,500 towards an air-source heat pump or £7,500 towards a ground-source heat pump for all homeowners, including landlords (DESNZ, 2026). This grant is not means-tested, so any landlord can apply provided the property has a valid EPC and no outstanding recommendations for insulation.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) provides free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation for homes with an EPC rating of D or below, including rental properties (Ofgem, 2026).
Landlords must use MCS-certified installers for BUS and ECO4-funded heat pumps, and all work must be registered on the relevant scheme database. Full guide to ECO4 eligibility for landlords
How to check if your property already meets the 2030 EPC C target
Obtain a current EPC certificate from the EPC Register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate (GOV.UK, 2026). Check the rating and the recommended improvements listed in the “recommended measures” section.
If your property is below D, prioritize insulation measures first — loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and floor insulation — as they have the biggest impact on the EPC score (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). For properties stuck at D, consider a heat pump or solar panels to boost the score by up to 15 points (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
If you cannot afford all improvements at once, start with the highest-impact, lowest-cost measures listed on the EPC. Then apply for grants like ECO4 or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover larger upgrades. Register any valid exemptions before the 2030 deadline to avoid penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
MEES 2030 is the government's plan to raise the minimum EPC rating for rented properties to C for all new tenancies from 2030, according to DESNZ. Around 1.1 million properties rated D or below in England will need upgrading.
Landlords who spent up to the £3,500 cap on all cost-effective improvements but still cannot reach EPC C can register a high-cost exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register. Grade I or II* listed properties may also be exempt with a surveyor's report following Historic England guidance.
Non-compliance can lead to penalties of up to £5,000 per property per breach, according to DESNZ. You must register valid exemptions to avoid fines.
Register exemptions on the PRS Exemptions Register, providing evidence of work done and quotes for remaining measures. Exemptions last five years and must be renewed if still applicable.
No, Scotland has separate regulations under the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, according to the Scottish Government. MEES 2030 applies to England and Wales only.
