MEES Compliance for Commercial Landlords in Sussex
If you own a warehouse, industrial unit or business park in Sussex then find out whether your buildings meet today’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
Get a clear, costed plan to ensure compliance with new rules.
Independent advice from a not-for-profit social enterprise.
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Commercial MEES rules: what landlords need to know
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating a rented commercial building can have. In England and Wales, landlords cannot let, or keep letting, a non-domestic property rated below EPC E unless they have registered a valid exemption. In June 2026 the government confirmed it intends to raise this to EPC B from 2031 for privately rented buildings over 1,000 m², where cost effective. Buildings under 1,000 m² are intended to stay at EPC E.
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Legal minimum today
Proposed change
Status
7-year payback test and exemptions
Buildings under 1,000 m²
EPC E
No further deadline set
In force
Continue to apply
Buildings over 1,000 m²
EPC E
EPC B from 2031, where cost effective
Proposed, subject to secondary legislation
Continue to apply
The 2027 EPC C milestone previously proposed has been dropped. Final detail is expected in the government’s full response later this year. We will update this page when it lands.
Do new commercial MEES rules apply to my building?
MEES applies if you let a building to a tenant, whether that is a single occupier, a multi-let estate or a business park with several units. It applies to new and existing leases. It does not usually apply to buildings you occupy yourself, unless you also let part of them.
Check three things:
- Your EPC rating. If your unit is rated F or G, or has no valid EPC, you may already be unable to let it lawfully.
- Your floor area. Over 1,000 m² is where EPC B is proposed. Many Sussex warehouses and trade units sit above or close to this line.
- Your EPC's age and accuracy. EPCs last ten years. Older certificates often understate what recent upgrades have achieved, and can overstate a building's condition.
Still not sure?
Our team can tell you where your building stands.
The cost of waiting - why commercial landlords are acting before 2031
Even though the EPC B rule is not yet law, the commercial pressure on low-rated buildings is already here.
Penalties for non-compliance
Local authorities can fine landlords for letting a non-compliant commercial property. Penalties are based on rateable value and can reach £150,000 per property, and details of the breach can be published.
Tenant and lender expectations
Occupiers increasingly ask for energy-efficient space, and lenders and valuers increasingly look at EPC ratings when assessing an asset. Properties with EPC A or B can command rental premiums of roughly 10-15%.
High demand for qualified contractors
When a deadline approaches, assessors and installers get busy. Landlords with a plan in place early get better choice, better pricing and time to phase spend across budget years.
Combine with ongoing lease events
Rent reviews, lease renewals and sales are all moments when a weak EPC costs you money. Planning ahead means you are never forced into a rushed upgrade.
Our MEES Compliance Survey and Report shows you where each building stands today, what it would take to reach EPC E, and what it would take to reach EPC B, with costs, sequencing and payback for every measure.
Make the right improvements with a BHESCo MEES Compliance Survey
What's included
- On-site survey by a qualified assessor
- Current EPC position and any gap to EPC E and EPC B
- Recommended upgrades in the most cost-effective order
- Estimated cost and annual energy saving for each measure
- Estimated EPC rating after each measure (and cumulatively)
- Guidance on the 7-year payback test and on whether an exemption may apply
- Advice on planning requirements and permitted development
- A post-report consultation with a BHESCo energy adviser
Below is an example of the Summary Table provided as part of your MEES Compliance Report.
(please tap to enlarge)
Why Sussex landlords choose BHESCo
There are many EPC and MEES providers. Here is how we are different.
We're a co-operative
BHESCo is community-owned and not-for-profit. Our advice is designed to benefit you and your local area, not to enrich shareholders.
We're independent
We do not work on commission, and we do not need to sell you a particular product. You get honest, impartial advice.
We're local
Based in Brighton, we have delivered 70 community energy projects across Sussex and understand the local building stock, planning context and installer network.
We're accountable
BHESCo is owned by our co-op members, people who live and work in Sussex. We’re completely transparent, trustworthy, and accountable.
Discuss your needs with our team.
Call our team to discuss your needs, your goals, and how BHESCo can help.
We’ve tried to make everything as clear as we can, but if you do have any further questions then please leave your details below and one of our energy advisors will get back to you soon.
How it works
From first enquiry to compliant building
1. Tell us about your property
Complete the short form below.
2. Speak to our Projects Team
We call you to understand your buildings, tenants and goals.
3. Survey and report
We assess each building and give you a clear, costed route to compliance.
4. Funding
We help you access grant funding, or can offer to finance your improvements for no upfront cost through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
4. Deliver the upgrades
BHESCo can project manage the entire schedule of improvement works and conduct a post-install EPC ensure compliance and quality of workmanship.
Commercial MEES: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the current MEES requirement for commercial property?
Landlords in England and Wales cannot let or continue to let a non-domestic property with an EPC rating below E, unless they have registered a valid exemption. This has applied to new leases since April 2018 and to all existing leases since April 2023.
Is EPC B compulsory for warehouses and industrial units?
Not yet. In June 2026 the government confirmed its intention to require EPC B from 2031 for privately rented buildings over 1,000 m², where cost effective. This will only take effect once secondary legislation has passed through Parliament.
Which rule applies to my building?
If your building is over 1,000 m², the proposed EPC B standard is likely to apply from 2031. If it is under 1,000 m², the government intends to keep the current EPC E minimum. Detail on how the threshold will apply is still to come, so a survey is the safest way to plan.
What is the penalty for renting out a non-compliant commercial property?
Local authorities can issue penalties based on the property’s rateable value, up to £150,000 per property. Details of the breach can also be published.
What is the 7-year payback test?
Landlords are only expected to make improvements that pay for themselves in energy savings within seven years. If no suitable improvements meet this test, an exemption may be available. The government intends to keep this test in place.
Can I claim an exemption?
In some circumstances, yes. Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and generally last five years. We can advise on whether one may apply to your building.
Which upgrades most improve the EPC of a warehouse or industrial unit?
It depends on the building, but rooftop solar PV, LED lighting and controls, insulation and heating upgrades are common. A MEES Compliance Survey identifies the most cost-effective sequence for your property.
Can solar panels help my building reach a better EPC?
Yes. On-site solar generation can improve a building’s EPC rating, and large commercial roofs are often well suited. Our Solar Savings Plan can fund installation at no upfront cost.
Do you cover my area in Sussex?
Yes. We work across Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing, Chichester, Crawley and the wider East and West Sussex area.
What happens after I submit an enquiry?
A member of the BHESCo Projects Team will contact you to understand your property and goals, explain our survey and quote, and agree next steps. There is no obligation.
Get ahead of MEES, before your tenants and lenders ask
A short conversation with the Projects Team can tell you where your buildings stand and what to do next.
Request a MEES Compliance Survey