EPC Exemptions: Does Your Property Qualify?
## Do All Buildings Need an EPC?
While the vast majority of buildings built, sold, or rented in the UK require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), there are several specific legal exemptions. Understanding these exemptions can save you the cost of an assessment and protect you from MEES enforcement.
### Common EPC Exemptions
**1. Places of Worship**
Buildings used primarily as places of worship or for religious activities are exempt from requiring an EPC.
**2. Temporary Buildings**
Buildings with a planned time of use of two years or less are exempt.
**3. Standalone Buildings Under 50m²**
A detached building with a total useful floor area of less than 50m², which is not a dwelling, does not need an EPC.
**4. Industrial Sites, Workshops, and Agricultural Buildings**
These are exempt if they have low energy demand (e.g., they don't have conditioned space/heating).
**5. Buildings Due to be Demolished**
If a building is to be demolished and the site redeveloped, it may be exempt, provided certain evidence can be produced (e.g., planning permission for demolition).
### MEES Exemptions
It's important to distinguish between being exempt from needing an EPC at all, and being exempt from the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) despite having an EPC. A MEES exemption allows you to legally let a property that is rated F or G.
MEES exemptions include:
- **The "Seven Year Payback" rule (Commercial):** Where the cost of improvements would not be recovered through energy savings within 7 years.
- **The "High Cost" exemption (Domestic):** Where the cost of bringing the property up to Band E exceeds £3,500.
- **Third Party Consent:** Where a tenant, superior landlord, or planning authority refuses consent for the required works.
- **Devaluation:** Where a surveyor concludes that the required energy efficiency improvements would devalue the property by more than 5%.
### How to Register an Exemption
MEES exemptions are not automatic. They must be registered on the National PRS Exemptions Register. You must provide evidence (e.g., quotes from contractors, letters of refusal from tenants) to support your claim.
Exemptions generally last for 5 years and cannot be transferred to a new owner if you sell the property.
If you are unsure whether your property qualifies for an exemption, [contact our compliance team](/for/landlords) for expert advice.
While the vast majority of buildings built, sold, or rented in the UK require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), there are several specific legal exemptions. Understanding these exemptions can save you the cost of an assessment and protect you from MEES enforcement.
### Common EPC Exemptions
**1. Places of Worship**
Buildings used primarily as places of worship or for religious activities are exempt from requiring an EPC.
**2. Temporary Buildings**
Buildings with a planned time of use of two years or less are exempt.
**3. Standalone Buildings Under 50m²**
A detached building with a total useful floor area of less than 50m², which is not a dwelling, does not need an EPC.
**4. Industrial Sites, Workshops, and Agricultural Buildings**
These are exempt if they have low energy demand (e.g., they don't have conditioned space/heating).
**5. Buildings Due to be Demolished**
If a building is to be demolished and the site redeveloped, it may be exempt, provided certain evidence can be produced (e.g., planning permission for demolition).
### MEES Exemptions
It's important to distinguish between being exempt from needing an EPC at all, and being exempt from the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) despite having an EPC. A MEES exemption allows you to legally let a property that is rated F or G.
MEES exemptions include:
- **The "Seven Year Payback" rule (Commercial):** Where the cost of improvements would not be recovered through energy savings within 7 years.
- **The "High Cost" exemption (Domestic):** Where the cost of bringing the property up to Band E exceeds £3,500.
- **Third Party Consent:** Where a tenant, superior landlord, or planning authority refuses consent for the required works.
- **Devaluation:** Where a surveyor concludes that the required energy efficiency improvements would devalue the property by more than 5%.
### How to Register an Exemption
MEES exemptions are not automatic. They must be registered on the National PRS Exemptions Register. You must provide evidence (e.g., quotes from contractors, letters of refusal from tenants) to support your claim.
Exemptions generally last for 5 years and cannot be transferred to a new owner if you sell the property.
If you are unsure whether your property qualifies for an exemption, [contact our compliance team](/for/landlords) for expert advice.