Bradley-Mason specialises in providing Project Management and supporting services for commercial properties. With incoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations and the growing importance of accurate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Bradley-Mason can help support you and provide the Project Management services you need.
Are you a commercial property owner and need help to improve your EPC ratings throughout your portfolio? Or are you an EPC assessor, who requires support in helping your commercial property clients to implement works to improve their EPC rating? Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our experienced and knowledgeable team today.
Understanding the background
EPCs have been a statutory requirement for new leases of commercial properties since 2008 – an EPC assesses the energy efficiency of the fabric of a building, and is rated between A and G. Under the Energy Act 2011, MEES were introduced to provide a structure to the improvements that need to be made to commercial buildings.
The government estimates that 18% of commercial properties across the UK hold EPC ratings of F or G and as such the new minimum energy standards aims to improve the EPC ratings of England and Wales commercial building stock, to tackle Greenhouse Gas emissions.
MEES and how it effects clients
In 2018, the first stage of the MEES regulation was brought into effect. This stated that it was unlawful to lease a privately rented commercial property or renew a lease unless the building achieves an EPC rating between A and E.
The second stage is due to come into force in April 2023. This will stipulate that all privately rented properties with leases that commenced before April 2018 must comply with the MEES regulations.
Ultimately, this means it is essential to get accurate up to date commercial EPCs for owners of any commercial property that is privately leased.
MEES: the key dates
For non-domestic properties in England and Wales, implementing the MEES regulations comes into effect across two stages:
- From April 2018, landlords will not be permitted to grant a lease for a commercial property with an EPC rating that is below E unless they have carried out all possible cost-effective energy efficiency improvement works, or if the building has an exemption.
- From April 2023, landlords will not be permitted to continue to let a commercial property with an EPC rating that is below E unless they have carried out all possible cost-effective energy efficiency improvement works, or if the building has an exemption.
The government has also published mid-term targets to uplift the existing MEES regulations
- By 2027, a minimum threshold rating of C must be achieved
- By 2030, a minimum threshold rating of B must be achieved
Is my building exempt?
There are a number of ways that a commercial property can be exempt from MEES regulations. These include:
- The Golden Rule – if the landlord has carried out all of the possible cost-effective improvements and the building does not meet the standards, the building becomes exempt for five years.
- Devaluation – if a specialist independent surveyor reports that relevant improvements that could be made to a property to improve its EPC rating would have a negative impact on the market value, with a reduction of 5% or more, the property is exempt.
- Third party consent – if the landlord cannot obtain consent to install the required energy efficiency improvements in spite of all reasonable efforts, the property is exempt.
- Lease terms – if the property is let on a lease of less than 6 months or more than 99 years, it is exempt.
- New landlords – the regulations acknowledge that there are some circumstances in which a person suddenly becomes a landlord, and that it would be unreasonable to expect them to comply with regulations immediately. In this case, a landlord can be granted a temporary six-month exemption.
What Bradley-Mason do
As highly experienced commercial surveyors, Bradley-Mason has extensive expertise in all aspects of commercial property Project Management. Once you have your EPC, we can help to plan any works required to help you comply with the MEES regulations.
We are well placed, along with our specialist , to provide expert advice, providing Energy Appraisals of each individual property, highlighting necessary works required to achieve compliance, and managing the implementation of these works, whether, for instance, that relates to installation of renewable energy sources or improvements to the building fabric, or services.
We work with skilled and trusted providers of EPCs. This means we are perfectly positioned to provide all of the support and project management services you need, to help you achieve that EPC which complies with all of the relevant MEES regulations.
Why choose Bradley-Mason?
At Bradley-Mason, we have many years of experience providing a full range of commercial building surveying services. Our team understands the need for quality and accuracy in everything we do.
We have also built up a strong reputation for our high levels of customer service. No matter whether you need help with project management, or if you are interested in a broader range of services, our team will be with you at every step of the process to provide advice and guidance.
Our head office is in Harrogate, North Yorkshire – but we can carry out work everywhere from London and Bristol to Manchester and Sheffield.
If you are interested in working with Bradley-Mason, or if you just want to learn more about the range of services that we provide, contact us today. You can call our team directly on 01423 611 604 or email us at info@bradley-mason.com.
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