Is your commercial property ready for changing energy efficiency standards?

Energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings are changing, with implications for property owners, landlords and those planning refurbishment or development work.

Some requirements are already in place, while others are still being introduced or proposed. Ahead of National Energy Efficiency Day taking place on 7 October, we wanted to look at what is changing and what commercial property owners should be considering.

What is changing?

Currently, privately rented non-domestic properties within the scope of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) generally need to achieve at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, unless a valid exemption applies. An EPC assesses the energy efficiency of a building, with commercial properties rated from A+ for the most efficient to G for the least efficient.

However, in June 2026, the Government confirmed its intention to require privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000m² to achieve EPC B by 2031, where cost-effective. The previously proposed EPC C milestone for 2027 has been dropped, while buildings below 1,000m² are expected to remain at the existing EPC E minimum.

Importantly, the proposed EPC B requirement is not yet law and will require secondary legislation before taking effect.

Looking beyond the EPC rating

For commercial property owners, an EPC is only part of the picture. A building survey can help identify physical issues and opportunities that may need to be considered when planning future improvements, including:

• Roof condition and insulation
• External walls, windows and doors
• Deterioration of the building fabric
• Water ingress and other defects
• Heating and cooling systems
• Opportunities for refurbishment and fabric improvements.

Understanding the existing condition of a property can therefore provide important context when considering how its energy performance might be improved.

New standards for commercial buildings

Changes are also coming for new non-domestic buildings in England. A new 2026 edition of Approved Document L: Energy and greenhouse gas emissions has been published, providing practical guidance on how building work can meet the energy-efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations. For most relevant building work, the new guidance takes effect from 24 March 2027, subject to transitional arrangements.

The changes form part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, which are designed to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of new buildings. For non-domestic buildings, this means higher standards for areas including the building fabric, lighting and heat recovery, alongside low-carbon heating and greater use of solar generation within the Government’s model for assessing compliance.

For those planning new commercial buildings or development work, this means energy performance will need to be considered carefully as part of the design and specification process.

What this means for commercial property owners

Not every commercial property needs to achieve EPC B, and the proposed 2031 requirement has yet to become law. But the direction of travel towards greater energy efficiency is clear.

For owners considering refurbishment, redevelopment or longer-term asset planning, assessing the condition of a building now can help identify defects, potential improvements and areas that may require further investigation.

Easton Bevins continues to monitor developments in building standards and supports clients in understanding the condition of their commercial properties and planning appropriate works.

If you’d like to discuss your commercial property or upcoming refurbishment or development works, our team is always available to help.