A reminder about minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
A reminder about minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) by our guest blogger, Christabel Watts from the Environment Centre - information provided by Woodstock Property Law
There have been some recent updates to Energy Performance Certificates, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and energy efficiency funding for landlords, here is a summary of those changes from the Environment Centre (tEC) charity.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
The EPC register has changed and there is a new government website to look up the EPC for your property. Along with the new website there is a new look for the certificates and they are no longer available as downloadable pdfs. Behind the scenes there have been changes to the software used to produce a certificate and assessors can’t generate a draft EPC anymore, to trial the impact of different recommendations on the rating. For certificates issued between 9th June and 19th September 2020 you still need to use the old Landmark website currently, while they transfer the data.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
It has been 6 months since MEES became law for existing, as well as new, domestic private tenancies. The current standard requires landlords to meet EPC rating E or register an exemption, otherwise they risk enforcement action and fines. A recent government MEES consultation suggests that this minimum EPC rating is due to increase to C from 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing tenancies. In addition to the rating, they are also considering changes to the investment cost cap (increasing from £4,700 to at least £10,000), requirements for the provision of EPCs, enforcement options and maximum penalty (rising from £5,000 to £30,000).
Green Homes Grant
If your rental property meets MEES, or you have an exemption, you can apply for energy efficiency funding like the new Green Homes Grant. If your tenants are on a low income, for example receiving means-tested or disability benefits, then they may be eligible for grant through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
The government launched the Green Homes Grant scheme in September 2020, and vouchers are due to start being issued in early November. Through the general scheme homeowners and landlords in England can apply for vouchers to pay for green improvements. This government grant covers two-thirds of the cost up to £5,000 per household and the homeowner or landlord contributes the remainder.
Measures
Available measures are split into “primary” and “secondary” groups and households need to install at least one primary measure to qualify for funding.
Primary measures include:
• Insulation – Solid wall (internal or external), cavity wall, under-floor (solid floor or suspended floor), loft, flat roof, pitched roof, room in roof, park home
• Low carbon heat – Air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, solar thermal, biomass boiler, hybrid heat pump
If at least one primary measure is installed, households will also be able to install secondary measures. These will be subsidised up to the amount of subsidy provided for primary measures and you will only be able to redeem vouchers for secondary measures once you have installed a primary measure and redeemed the vouchers for that measure.
Secondary measures include:
• Draught proofing
• Windows and doors – Double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazing), secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing), upgrading to energy efficient doors (where replacing single-glazed or solid doors installed prior to 2002).
• Heating controls and insulation – appliance thermostats, hot water tank thermostats, hot water tank insulation, smart heating controls, zone controls, intelligent delayed start thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves
Additional work, for example professional services, contractor costs, enabling works and low carbon heating systems, can be covered if they are necessary for the installation of a measure. More information on what the scheme does and doesn’t cover is on the government website.
Eligibility
For the general scheme all owner-occupied homes, private and social rented domestic properties and park home owners are eligible. New-build domestic properties and non-domestic properties are not eligible.
The Green Homes Grant counts towards state aid, so check that applying does not exceed your state aid threshold. You cannot claim the Green Homes Grant for a measure which is already being funded by the ECO scheme. You also cannot apply for a Green Homes Grant voucher if you have already received a grant from your local authority through their Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme. You can claim domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for renewable heat installed through the Green Homes Grant, and the grant amount will be deducted from the RHI payments.
Approved tradespeople
To apply for a voucher you need to have a quote from an approved tradesperson, and you must wait for the voucher to be issued before arranging for work to be carried out. Tradespeople must be registered with TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation to take part in the scheme. You can also search for approved tradespeople on the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website. It is recommended to get at least three quotes to ensure you are getting value for money.
Application
You apply for the Green Homes Grant online, with full terms and conditions here. You can apply for different measures by different installers through the same application. You will receive separate vouchers for each measure, and the voucher is only valid for the measure, property and named applicant that you have applied for.
To redeem a voucher you need to provide a dated copy of the invoice issued by approved tradesperson and you will need to confirm the work has been completed to your satisfaction, you have received any documentation like warranties and you have made the customer payment to the installer. Once you have redeemed the voucher the government grant will be paid directly to the approved tradesperson. Vouchers must be redeemed and measures completed by 31st March 2021.
Advice and support
To contact the government about the scheme you can email: customer.green-homes-grant@beis.gov.uk. Homeowners and landlords can access energy efficiency advice and support from the SEA service, online or by phone: 0800 444202, which includes checking eligibility and suitable home improvements for the Green Homes Grant scheme.
There is such a variety of needs between building types and household circumstances it is a good idea to get expert advice from an accredited installer or retrofit assessor/coordinator. You can search for a retrofit assessor or coordinator on TrustMark or via their accreditation body, for example Elmhurst or Stroma.
