MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) is UK legislation under SI 2015/962 that requires commercial properties in England and Wales to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating before they can be granted a new lease or have an existing lease renewed. The current minimum is EPC Band E. A proposed change would raise this to Band C by April 2028, though this is not yet enacted law.
How MEES affects your portfolio
If you own or manage commercial property in England or Wales, MEES directly affects your ability to let those properties. Properties rated F or G are already non-compliant under current rules. Under the proposed 2028 change, properties rated D or E would also need upgrading.
The financial exposure is significant. Penalties are calculated on a rateable-value basis, not a flat fine, meaning larger properties face proportionally larger penalties.
Penalty calculation
SI 2015/962 reg 39
MEES penalty formula
- Breach under 3 months: 10% of rateable value (min £5,000, max £50,000).
- Breach of 3 months or more: 20% of rateable value (min £10,000, max £150,000).
CrowAgent always calculates penalties using this formula, never a flat £30,000 estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is MEES compliance?
How are MEES penalties calculated?
What is the MEES Band C 2028 deadline?
Which properties are affected by MEES?
Regulatory citations
- • SI 2015/962 - The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.
- • Regulation 39 - Penalty calculation methodology (rateable value basis).
- • MHCLG EPC Register - Official source for Energy Performance Certificate data.
- • HM Treasury Green Book - 3.5% discount rate used for retrofit NPV calculations.