The Energy Act 2011 requires Government to introduce regulations to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the private rented sector no later than April 2018. These have been widely referred to previously as Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). This consultation set out detailed proposals for energy efficiency regulations in both domestic and non-domestic private rented sector.
Objectives of the consultation
This consultation set out detailed proposals for energy efficiency regulations for England and Wales, using powers within the Energy Act 2011. The consultation ran for six weeks and closed on 2 September 2014. The minimum energy efficiency regulations will mean that, by 1 April 2018, all properties in the domestic and non-domestic private rented sector with energy rating falling below a certain level will have to be improved to a specified minimum energy efficiency standard before being let to tenants. The minimum standard is currently proposed to be an E rating on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and properties with an F or G rating are in scope of the minimum standard regulations.
Scotland has made separate arrangements, details of which are available online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/03/5662
Supporting papers
The Government issued two separate consultation documents, one for each of the domestic and non-domestic sectors, and a separate consultation stage impact assessment. To download the documents, please follow the links below.
- Consultation Document for the Domestic Sector
- Consultation Document for the Non-domestic Sector
- Consultation Stage Impact Assessment
CIBSE response
CIBSE members share the view that good engineering practice could deliver substantial cost effective reductions in energy use in buildings. CIBSE has argued for some time that greater attention to improvement of the existing building stock is essential, alongside improved standards of new buildings. Therefore, CIBSE was pleased to respond to this consultation on Minimum Energy Standards and submitted a response in relation to the non-domestic sector.
- CIBSE supports the principal of regulating for minimum energy performance of existing buildings, using changes in tenancy as the initial trigger point, but strongly believes that renewals of existing arrangements should, in due course, be brought into scope.
- CIBSE has a significant concerns that non compliance with the current EPC regime will undermine the proposals to the point where they become effectively voluntary, and argued for a far greater focus on non-compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations.
- There is a broad consensus among CIBSE members that initially E rating is a reasonable starting point but CIBSE would like to see a trajectory of standards beyond 2018 set out when the legislation is introduced. Raising the minimum standard from E to D in about 2023-2025, and to C in 2030 should be given serious consideration.
To read the full CIBSE response, please follow the link below.
Results of the consultation and next steps
DECC published its response to Consultation on the Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Regulations on 5th February 2015. This has confirmed that legislation will be introduced to require F&G rated buildings to be improved when they are rented out, to come into force in April 2018. It is also proposed that from April 2023 the requirements will apply to all existing commercial lettings.