Sit Tight Until the Dust Settles on EPC and MEES Rules
With EPC and MEES rules still in flux, playing the waiting game could save you thousands, or cost you dearly.
We’ve been tracking the government’s plans to overhaul Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). The headline hasn’t changed: landlords will need to hit the future equivalent of EPC Band C to keep letting properties. The twist? The way EPCs are assessed and scored is about to change, and no one yet knows precisely how. Get fully up to speed here.
Instead of focusing on the hurdles, we at Green Home Guide choose to look forward. That’s why we’ve created four practical strategies landlords can start using today to stay one step ahead.
Strategy #4 is the “wait and see” approach: holding fire on major retrofit decisions until the government publishes the final details, likely in 2026. By delaying, you invest with greater certainty that your chosen upgrades will hit the future MEES standard.
However, this strategy needs to be exercised with caution, as there is a real risk that grant schemes expire, compliance becomes harder, and costs escalate. Green Home Guide can support here by ensuring you are kept abreast of any developments. Join our waitlist to be kept in the loop.
How Does It Work?
If you take this route, you essentially press pause on any big-ticket upgrades until the new EPC framework and MEES rules are officially set in stone. This way, you avoid spending thousands now on measures that might not count for much under the new scoring system.
It’s a bit like holding off on booking your summer holiday until you’ve seen the weather forecast. You might miss the early-bird deals, however you will have more confidence that it isn’t going to tip it down all week.
What’s the Catch?
- Tradesperson bottleneck – If you leave it late, you may be queuing behind every other landlord scrambling to upgrade before 2028/2030 deadlines.
- Price hikes – High demand and short supply can push labour and material costs through the roof.
- Lost grant opportunities – Many generous schemes (GBIS, HUG2, ECO4) will have expired by 2026, meaning you could miss out on thousands in funding.
- Potential for higher costs – If your property underperforms on the new EPC scoring, you might need to do more than if you’d started earlier and secured EPC C see ahead of the changes.
- Potentially shorter EPC validity periods – the government has consulted on reducing validity from 10 years to 5.
What Should I Do Next?
If you’re leaning toward this strategy, use the time wisely. Gather quotes now so you understand your options and costs. Keep a close eye on government announcements, and be ready to act as soon as the rules are confirmed.
Green Home Guide will be tracking every twist and turn, and our online tool will be pivotal in helping you make smart, targeted investments at the right time. Join our waitlist to get the latest updates and be ready to move quickly when the new rules land!
References
- Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings consultation (Dec 2024–Feb 2025): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime
- MEES consultation for private rented sector (Feb 7–May 2, 2025): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-consultation-document-html
