UK’s energy efficiency regulations honoured in European awards

UK regulations which will prevent landlords from renting out the most energy inefficient homes and properties have been honoured in European awards which recognise leadership on sustainable building. The regulations – known as Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) – received the Public Sector Leadership Award in the World Green Building Council’s Europe Leadership in Green Building Awards 2015.

Under MEES, landlords will be prohibited from renting out homes and non-domestic buildings which fall into the two worst energy efficiency ratings, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Bands “F” and “G”, from April 2018. Tenants in privately rented homes can also ask landlords to make energy efficiency improvements from April next year – requests which cannot be unreasonably refused by landlords.

Richard Griffiths, Senior Policy Advisor at the UK Green Building Council, said: “This award demonstrates the huge impact MEES can have – and indeed are already having – on the private rented sector, and the degree of international interest in replicating them if successful.

“But getting MEES on the statute books is only the start of a long journey. In the context of recent damaging cuts to building-related energy and climate policies, careful and effective implementation of these potentially game-changing regulations will be vital if they are to transform the energy efficiency of privately rented buildings.”