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Business Premises: Housing

Asked by Helen MorganLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 22111

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to protect vulnerable tenants living in residential dwellings legally classified as commercial lets, where the commercial classification of the tenancy exempts landlords from mandatory upgrades of EPC ratings by October 2030.

Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) apply to domestic privately rented properties let on assured, regulated, or domestic agricultural tenancies, or standard tenancy in Wales, where an EPC is required. MEES also apply non-domestic properties that are required to have an EPC and are let under a tenancy.

Government is strengthening wider protections for tenants through the Decent Homes Standard including supported housing and temporary homelessness accommodation.

The Warm Homes Plan includes universal grants of up to £9,000 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Government has also taken action to reduce energy bills by removing VAT and other policy costs from electricity bills.

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