Landlords

Meeting Minimum Efficiency Standards (MEES) – MEES Plus Grant Pilot Scheme

In 2019, we declared a climate emergency and released our Climate Emergency Action Plan committing to  becoming a net zero city by 2040. Residential buildings contribute 15% of city-wide emissions, or approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2. To support landlords in improving the energy efficiency of properties in the private rented sector, Westminster has launched the MEES Plus Grant Pilot Scheme.

The Pilot Scheme will offer eligible landlords financial support of up to £10,000 to improve the energy efficiency of their property, measured by the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Landlords are expected to match fund grant money, for example, a grant of £5,000 would require a matched contribution from the landlord of £5,000.

Eligibility 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Regulations (MEES) require that private rented property must meet an EPC of E or above, unless exempt. The MEES Plus Grant Pilot Scheme is only available to landlords of properties that are either:

• exempt from (see exemptions below) meeting MEES (EPC rating E), although willing to meet it with grant assistance
• meeting MEES but are willing to improve their property EPC rating to a ‘D’ or a ‘C.’

Exemptions 

Properties with EPCs below the minimum standard (E) may be exempt. There are nine types of exemptions. Westminster properties are more likely to be exempt from “High Cost”, where the cost of energy efficiency measures to meet the minimum standard exceeds £3,500 due to the cost of works in central London. Exemptions are not automatic and must be registered by the landlord on the national register.

How to apply

If you are eligible and interested in applying for the scheme, and for all enquiries, please contact [email protected]