This Practice Note covers the impact on both landlords and tenants of non-domestic private rented (NDPR) property of the Energy efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (MEES Regs 2015), SI 2015/962, and the various Exclusions and exemptions that apply in respect of NDPR property. It is part of our series of Practice Notes on minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES).

MEES Regs 2015, SI 2015/962, reg 27 (prohibition on letting substandard NDPR property) provides that a landlord must not let substandard NDPR property unless:

1. •

   'relevant energy efficiency improvements' are undertaken (MEES Regs 2015, SI 2015/962 reg 29), or

2. •

   one of the exemptions in MEES Regs 2015, SI 2015/962 chapter 4 (consent, Devaluation or temporary exemptions) apply

An exemption must be registered on the national PRS Exemptions Register (PRS Exemptions Register) before it can be relied on. The exemptions are set out below.

While energy performance certificates (EPCs) are property specific (rather than tied to any individual owner) and are valid for ten years, an exemption claimed and