What's the difference between MEES dom-E and dom-C — and what changes in 2030?

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The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for domestic rented property ("MEES dom-E" + the proposed "MEES dom-C") sets the minimum EPC band a property can be let at. The dom-E rule has been in force since 2018-04-01 for new tenancies and 2020-04-01 for all tenancies — every let property must hold EPC band E or better, and a band F or G property cannot be let unless a registered exemption applies.

The dom-C rule is a confirmed-policy change announced in the January 2026 government response to the Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes consultation. From 2030-04-01, all NEW tenancies must hold EPC band C or better; from 2033-04-01, the same floor applies to ALL tenancies including existing ones. Properties at band D or below at the cut-over date will need upgrading or a registered exemption. The current government estimate is that ~30% of UK rented stock sits at band D or below in 2026 — the upgrade lift is non-trivial.

The practical letting-agent workflow: pull the EPC for every property at instruction; flag band F + G as currently-unlettable (dom-E breach); flag band D as on-the-2030-runway with an upgrade-cost estimate; flag band C+ as compliant under both rules. The Stratum MEES verdict API at /v1/epc/postcode/{postcode} returns the verdict against both rules plus an optional payback-period estimate (cost-to-upgrade ÷ rent-uplift). Penalty exposure on dom-E breach is up to £30,000 per let property; dom-C penalties are not yet finalised but the consultation response indicated parity with dom-E penalties.

What's the difference between MEES dom-E and dom-C — and what changes in 2030?

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