News from 6 May 2026
Read the EPC guide for England and Wales.
GOV.UK published a new service on 5 May 2026 for viewing private rented sector energy-standard exemptions and penalties. Users can search using a property address, landlord name or the type of exemption or penalty.
What the new service can show
The new GOV.UK page says the service can be used to search for properties with registered exemptions and properties that have been issued penalties for failing to comply with the private rented sector energy standards.
That is useful for several everyday scenarios. A landlord taking on management of a property can check whether an exemption appears as expected. An agent can review whether the public record matches the landlord’s instructions. A buyer carrying out due diligence on a tenanted property can see whether a claimed exemption is visible on the register.
It may also help landlords spot administrative gaps. If a property is below EPC E and an exemption is being relied on, the important question is not only whether there is a reason, but whether that reason has been properly registered with the right supporting evidence.
The limit on improvement costs
The domestic MEES landlord guidance also repeats a key point on improvement costs. Landlords are not currently required to spend more than £3,500, including VAT, on energy efficiency improvements for a domestic property under the MEES rules.
If a property cannot be improved to EPC E for £3,500 or less, landlords are expected to make the improvements that can be made up to that amount and then register an “all improvements made” exemption where appropriate. The guidance also notes that relevant energy efficiency investment made since 1 October 2017 can count within the cap.
Keep the supporting records: EPC recommendations, quotes, invoices, grant evidence, correspondence and the exemption registration details all matter if the position is later challenged.
