Too many UK businesses are largely unaware about new environmental legislation concerning the energy efficiencies of the buildings they own and occupy, according to a new survey commissioned by Irwin Mitchell: Redefining the Office – A report on office occupier trends in 2023.
The new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation means that from 1 April 2023, property owners must not continue to let properties that have an EPC rating of F or G (unless they have an exemption) and all let properties will need to have a minimum EPC rating of E.
Despite the rules only being a month away, the survey of over 500 office property decision makers found that only 32% of respondents said they knew the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of their main office building, with a similar percentage of only 31% saying they know what EPC rating their office needs to be in April.
Concerningly, nearly a fifth (19%) of the property decision makers surveyed said they do not know their office’s EPC rating at all. Another 18% admitted they do not know what it needs to be to be compliant in April. Additionally, 10% of respondents said they do not understand EPC ratings.
Tim Rayner, joint head of real estate disputes at Irwin Mitchell, said: “These figures should raise eyebrows, particularly given the changes come into force in April and with further new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation down the line. For example, for all new tenancies beginning in 2025, the government is keen to change the minimum rating to a C.