New energy efficiency regulations presented before parliament have been hailed by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) as the “most significant piece of legislation in a generation”.



Energy Secretary Ed Davey is presenting regulations to make it illegal for landlords to rent out the most energy inefficient homes and properties from April 2018.



The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) were discussed in 2010 however they were delayed to the government’s reluctance to increase more red tape in the market.



MEPS means that from April 2018 landlords will have to install energy saving measures to all homes and non-domestic buildings which fall into Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands F and G (the two lowest bands).

In addition to the requirements, landlords will also be required by law to accept reasonable requests from tenants to install extra energy efficiency measures.