The New Public MEES Register — What Oxfordshire Landlords Need to Do This Week
The government has just launched a new public tool that lists every registered MEES exemption and every civil penalty issued against a private rented property in England and Wales. Anyone — tenants, neighbours, prospective buyers, local authorities — can now search by postcode and see what compliance status a rental property holds. For Oxfordshire landlords, the transparency cuts both ways.
The new digital service sits alongside the existing PRS Exemptions Register. It surfaces information that has technically been available for years but was previously buried — now it is a postcode search away.
WHAT THE NEW REGISTER ACTUALLY DOES
The tool lets anyone search the PRS Exemptions Register by postcode and find:
- Registered exemptions: The exemption category, the date of registration, and the stated reason
- Civil penalties: Any enforcement action taken by a local authority for non-compliance with MEES
- Compliance gaps: Properties below EPC E that hold no valid registered exemption — a clear red flag
This last point is the critical one. Under current rules, a property below EPC E cannot legally be let unless it holds a valid exemption on the register. The new tool makes it easy for anyone to check whether that exemption actually exists.
THE CURRENT MEES POSITION (AND WHERE IT IS GOING)
For now, the minimum standard for new and existing private rented tenancies remains EPC Band E. Properties rated F or G can only be lawfully let with a valid registered exemption. The cost cap for the current E standard is GBP 3,500 including VAT — much lower than the GBP 10,000 cap that will apply from 1 October 2030 when the standard rises to EPC C.
The 2030 deadline is confirmed in the government’s Warm Homes Plan, and the new register makes it easier than ever to spot landlords who have not yet engaged. Local authorities, who hold enforcement powers and can issue fines of up to GBP 30,000 per property under the new penalty regime, can search the register too.
EXEMPTION TYPES AND VALIDITY
An exemption only has legal effect if it has been correctly registered with the supporting evidence. The most common exemptions are:
- All relevant improvements made: The property remains below EPC E despite carrying out all recommended improvements
- Cost cap exemption: The cheapest recommended improvement exceeds the current GBP 3,500 cap
- Wall insulation impact: Cavity wall, internal or external wall insulation would negatively affect the property
- Third-party consent refused: Tenant, lender, superior landlord, or planning authority has refused consent
- Devaluation: An independent RICS valuation shows the improvements would reduce the property value by more than 5%
Most exemptions last five years; some last up to ten. They expire automatically and you must reassess at that point. Critically, exemptions do not transfer when a property is sold — new owners must reassess from scratch.
WHAT OXFORDSHIRE LANDLORDS SHOULD DO NOW
The launch of a public register is the right moment to audit your own portfolio before anyone else does. Here is the practical checklist:
- Search every property: Run each rental postcode through the new register and check the result matches your expectation. Any surprises — missing exemptions, unfamiliar penalties — need investigating today
- Refresh older EPCs: If your EPC predates June 2025, it was assessed under the old RdSAP methodology. A fresh assessment under RdSAP 10 may improve your rating without any physical works
- Validate every exemption: Check the registration date, the category, and whether the supporting evidence still stands. Renew now if the exemption is approaching its five or ten-year expiry
- Re-evaluate F/G properties: Any property still rated F or G needs either a current valid exemption or an improvement plan. The new public visibility makes drifting harder to justify
- Look ahead to 2030: If your property is currently at E, the EPC C requirement from 2030 is the next horizon. Plan upgrades now, while installer availability is good and grant funding (Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Warm Homes: Local Grant) is open
- Check before you buy: If you are acquiring a rental, search the register before exchange. Existing exemptions do not transfer, so any reliance on the previous owner’s status is a mistake
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does my exemption transfer if I sell the property?
No. Exemptions are non-transferable. New owners must re-register from scratch if the exemption circumstances still apply.
What happens if my exemption has expired?
Once an exemption expires, you must reassess the property and try again to bring it up to standard. If the position is unchanged, you can register a new exemption with current supporting evidence.
Can a tenant or buyer use the register against me?
The information is public. Tenants, prospective buyers, and prospective lenders will all be able to see whether your property holds a valid exemption. A missing exemption on a sub-E property is now visible to anyone who searches.
How quickly should I act if I find a problem?
Today. Civil penalties for MEES non-compliance can reach GBP 30,000 per property under the new regime. Voluntary remediation before any enforcement contact is the strongest position.
BOOK AN EPC ASSESSMENT
E8 Property Services helps Oxfordshire landlords audit their portfolios against MEES, refresh older EPCs, and plan the route to compliance with the 2030 EPC C deadline. If the new register has raised any uncertainty about your properties, a fresh EPC assessment is the quickest way to know exactly where you stand.
Book an EPC assessment or call 01865 339535.
