Guidance

Domestic Private Rental Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards enforcement

Published 4 November 2026

Factsheet relating to the Energy Independence Bill.

Summary  

This measure introduces new and enhanced enforcement and compliance powers to strengthen how Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are enforced in the domestic private rented sector. It equips local authorities with enhanced legal powers and increases the maximum civil penalty for non-compliance with the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. By securing delivery of these outcomes, the measure reduces energy waste, cuts energy bills, and strengthens energy security through lower demand. This measure will contribute to reducing average energy bills in upgraded properties by £210 annually, and lift households out of fuel poverty.

Why are we legislating?   

This government is committed to reducing the number of fuel poor households in England in line with the statutory 2030 fuel poverty target. Ensuring warmer private rented homes across England and Wales will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills.

In 2025, government consulted on raising minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent by 2030. On 21 January 2026, government confirmed that the minimum energy efficiency standard will be increasing to EPC C from 1 October 2030, and private rented homes must meet the new required standard, or have a valid exemption registered, to be let. More information on the domestic private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standard consultation and government response can be found here: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update.

Local authority pilot studies and evaluation work have shown that secondary legislation alone is insufficient without provision in primary legislation to provide for enhanced enforcement and compliance powers. Therefore, government is seeking powers to ensure local authorities are better able to enforce the current regulations as well as have adequate deterrence in place for the increased requirements.

What are the government’s objectives with this measure?

The overall strategic objective of this measure is to ensure local authorities have the necessary powers and actions available to ensure non-compliant properties are improved.

This measure will contribute to improving the private rented sector for tenants by improving the quality of properties across the sector, delivering warmer, cheaper to heat homes. This is vital to ensuring a reduction in the number of fuel poor households and vulnerable tenants being left in cold energy inefficient homes. Increasing the energy efficiency of privately rented properties will improve energy security and reduce reliance on imported energy for heating homes.

This measure also provides for a higher maximum civil penalty for non-compliance with the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. The Energy Independence Bill permits government to strengthen these regulations by providing for the inclusion of houses in multiple occupation and increasing the maximum civil penalty in time for the proposed increase in minimum standard to come into force.

How will this measure deliver these objectives?

The measure will introduce a new maximum civil penalty of £30,000 for landlords found to be in breach of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. This will ensure the civil penalty for non-compliance is larger than the updated proposed maximum required investment per property of £10,000 confirmed in the government response published 21 January 2026.

The measure will ensure houses in multiple occupation can be required to comply with the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. This will ensure that more privately rented properties are required to meet the minimum standard as set out by the regulations. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will prevent landlords from increasing rent more than once a year.

The measure also includes a provision to require properties let on a licence to occupy type arrangement (such as short-term lets) to comply with the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015; however, government has no plans to exercise these powers at this time.

The measure will introduce a requirement for enforcement authorities to report enforcement action. Developing a better understanding of the compliance and enforcement landscape will provide government with a better understanding of the sector and its needs.

Government is taking steps to provide local authorities with enhanced enforcement and compliance powers. Furthermore, the government will continue to work with local authorities to understand their enforcement requirements and take action to respond to these.