Properties in Scotland have different energy efficiency standards and targets to those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This article explains what both Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Section 63s are, and how they affect Domestic and Commercial properties.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

What is MEES?

MEES stands for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and refers to the legislation dictating the lowest EPC rating allowed for both domestic and commercial rental properties in England and Wales.

What is MEES Consultancy?

MEES Consultancy is the process of running data from an EPC survey in the EPC software to find the most cost effective and least disruptive ways to increase a property's energy efficiency to the desired rating.

Full information can be found in our MEES Consultancy page.

Benefits of MEES Consultancy

The point of MEES Consultancy is to provide multiple scenarios for the energy efficiency improvement for properties, tailored to each property and its specific needs and goals. While EPCs provide recommendations, these are generic and not guaranteed to improve the property, especially if the EPC/recommendations is more than 6 months old.

Section 63

What is Section 63?

Section 63 is the regulations around Energy Action Plans for commercial properties 1000m² or larger, in Scotland.

What is an Energy Action Plan?

An Energy Action Plan identifies how to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of a property. Energy Action Plans must be lodged to the Scottish EPC register alongside its EPC.

Benefits of an Energy Action Plan?

The point of an Energy Action Plan is to provide the building owner a guide on improving the energy efficiency of a commercial property 1000m² or larger, while complying with Section 63 regulations.

What’s the difference between MEES and Section 63?

There are a few differences between MEES and Section 63, explained in detail below. It’s important to note that MEES only applies to England and Wales, and Section 63 only applies to Scotland.

Regulations

MEES

Domestic properties in England and Wales must have a valid E rated EPC for both new and existing tenancies. Failure to comply with MEES regulations may mean a fine of up to £5000 for domestic landlords.

Commercial properties in England and Wales must have a valid E rated EPC for both new and existing tenancies. Failure to comply with MEES regulations may mean a fine of up for £150,000 for commercial landlords.

Section 63

Domestic properties are not required to comply with Section 63 regulations.

Commercial properties that are over 1000m² in Scotland must have a valid Section 63 lodged to the Scottish EPC register, the building owner then has the choice to either carry out the improvements detailed in the plan within 42 months, or defer this by displaying a new DEC annually.

Exemptions

MEES

Both domestic and commercial rental properties in England and Wales must comply with MEES. While properties for sale are required to have an EPC, they are not required to achieve a specific EPC rating.

There are other circumstances that will exempt a property from complying with MEES regulations, listed below. Click on the exemption for a full description:

Section 63

Who Has to Comply

MEES

Domestic and commercial landlords in England and Wales (unless their property has a valid exemption on the PRS register).

Section 63

Building owners of commercial properties 1000m² or larger in Scotland, unless they meet one of the exemption criterias above.