Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

This is DESNZ's interim response (updated 18 June 2026) to the 2019/2021 consultations on non-domestic PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Key points:

• From 2031, private rented buildings over 1,000 sqm in England and Wales must reach EPC B, where cost-effective.
• Buildings under 1,000 sqm stay at the current minimum of EPC E.
• The previously proposed interim EPC C milestone for 2027 has been dropped, giving landlords/tenants more time.
• Existing flexibilities remain: the 7-year payback test and exemptions, so only cost-effective, practical improvements are required.
• The EPC B change needs secondary legislation to pass through Parliament before taking effect.
• Estimated impact: up to £360m/year in tenant energy bill savings by 2031 for larger buildings, plus reduced energy demand and carbon emissions.
• SMEs and high-street landlords of smaller buildings get more flexibility, with no fixed deadline to go beyond EPC E.
• A full government response with implementation detail (including the 1,000 sqm threshold) and legislation/guidance is still to come.

So overall: DESNZ is narrowing its ambition to target only larger (>1,000 sqm) non-domestic rented buildings for an EPC B requirement by 2031, scrapping the 2027 EPC C step, while smaller properties remain at EPC E indefinitely.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/non-domestic-private-rented-sector-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards-epc-b-implementation/outcome/minimum-energy-efficiency-standards-mees-in-the-non-domestic-private-rented-sector-interim-response

This is the Building Safety Regulator's (BSR) one-year strategic plan, covering April 2026 to March 2027, published 31 March 2026.

Context: BSR became a standalone non-departmental public body (sponsored by MHCLG) on 27 January 2026, having previously operated under the HSE. It's being positioned as the foundation for a future single construction regulator (a Grenfell Inquiry recommendation). A fuller 3-year strategic plan (2027-2030) will follow; this is a shorter interim plan while BSR beds in as a new organisation.

Five priorities for the year:

1. Improve operations and processes — targeting gateway 2 (pre-construction) application responses within 18 weeks for non-complex cases, with a 65% approval rating, plus moves like in-house multi-disciplinary teams, new account manager roles, an Innovation Unit, batch processing pilots, and preparing for the Building Safety Levy (October 2026).
2. Remediation — faster, clearer processing of cladding remediation applications (target: 12 weeks for non-complex cases, 65% approval rating), publishing remediation data publicly, and taking enforcement action against principal accountable persons who aren't managing cladding risk properly.
3. Building phase and gateway 3 — more in-build site inspections as gateway 2 volumes rise, tackling a national shortage of registered building inspectors, and speeding up gateway 3 (completion) approvals so safe buildings aren't left empty due to administrative delay.
4. Keeping safety and building standards under review — risk monitoring/intelligence gathering, investment in monitoring software, and updating Approved Documents (statutory guidance) alongside a broader review of building regulations guidance.
5. Improving professional standards — reviewing competent person scheme authorisation, improving RBI (registered building inspector) standards, and publishing a cultural-change framework for industry.

Governance: new BSR board chaired by Lord Andrew Roe, with Charlie Pugsley as Acting CEO, both appointed 27 January 2026. The plan was agreed with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and developed with input from the statutory Residents' Panel.

Looking ahead: BSR will use this year to gather evidence (KPIs, horizon scanning, stakeholder engagement) to inform its full 2027-2030 strategy.