The MEES exemption process is available to North West landlords who believe their property genuinely cannot be improved further. Though it’s more limited than many assume. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) already require rental properties in England to meet at least an EPC E rating.
Which MEES Exemptions Are Actually Valid
Valid exemptions include:
- A recognised retrofit measure isn’t available for the specific property type
- An installed measure hasn’t improved the EPC rating as expected
- The cost of necessary improvements exceeds the funding cap
- A third-party issue, such as a listed building restriction or lack of tenant consent, prevents the work being carried out
Each exemption must be registered on the national PRS Exemptions Register and typically lasts five years before requiring reassessment.
The Mistake Landlords Make With Exemptions
The mistake we see North West landlords make is registering an exemption without first getting a proper assessment to confirm it’s genuinely warranted. Councils have increasing powers to challenge that exemption. Particularly if the property is later found to have viable improvement options that weren’t properly investigated.
Cost Cap Exemptions Need Proper Evidence
For period properties across Manchester, Warrington, and the wider North West, cost cap exemptions are the most commonly claimed. But they require documented quotes for the full package of relevant measures, not just the cheapest option, to demonstrate the true cost genuinely exceeds the cap. This is exactly the kind of documentation a proper PAS 2035-aligned assessment produces as standard.
Get Your MEES Exemption Properly Assessed
If you’re a North West landlord considering an MEES exemption, get a proper assessment done first to make sure the exemption is genuinely justified and properly evidenced. Net Zero Gurus can carry this out and help you register it correctly. Call 0151 374 0044 or email hello@netzerogurus.co.uk.
