Non-domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
House of Commons · Written Statements · 18 Jun 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
I am pleased to provide an update on the Government’s approach to strengthening minimum energy efficiency standards in the non domestic private rented sector, following our previous consultations and extensive recent engagement with industry, investors, local authorities and other stakeholders. The Government consulted in 2019 and 2021 on proposals to raise non-domestic PRS MEES to EPC B, reflecting the role of energy efficiency in cutting bills, strengthening energy security and supporting the transition to net zero. Since then, we have continued to engage closely with stakeholders on how these proposals would work in practice across a diverse commercial building stock. Listening carefully to that feedback, the Government have now confirmed their intention to implement a revised and proportionate approach that maintains ambition where it delivers the greatest benefits, while providing greater flexibility for smaller businesses and landlords. In practice, this means that from 2031 it is proposed that private rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be required to meet a higher energy efficiency standard of EPC B, where cost-effective. This offers a more targeted approach compared with the original proposal, which would have applied across the entire non-domestic building stock. Initial modelling suggests that raising the standard for the largest premises could save those tenants £360 million per year on their energy costs by 2031. The...