Propertymark has achieved clarity from the Government regarding how commercial agents can meet their energy efficiency targets and ensure that commercial property agents have support to help them achieve their decarbonisation aims.
The trade body wrote to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to clarify if the Prime Minister’s changes to the Government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) that were scrapped last September apply to commercial agents.
Commercial property in England and Wales must meet energy efficiency targets of Energy Performance Certification (EPC) B by 2030, with a milestone target of Band C by 2028, which was moved forward from 2027.
Following a meeting with representatives from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Propertymark was assured that the Government is on track to meet its aims of supporting commercial agents decarbonise non-domestic properties, with a proposed grants scheme still in development.
DESNZ is looking to establish a Business Energy Advice Service to support businesses including commercial property agents decarbonise and are using the West Midlands Combined Authority as a pilot, which will become national in England and Wales during 2025.
Published in April 2022, the British Energy Security Strategy is designed to deliver a dedicated energy advice offering for smaller businesses to issue trusted advice on improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation, in line with the UK Government’s Net Zero targets.
4,000 energy efficiency assessments are to be completed by 31st March 2025.
Tim Thomas, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said: “We are pleased that the UK Government has provided greater clarity on decarbonisation targets for non-domestic property in England and Wales.
“Whilst we welcome the milestone targets being moved, the UK Government must speed up support through grants and advice to support commercial agents decarbonise their properties.
“In the meantime, we advise commercial agents within the West Midlands area to liaise with the pilot Business Energy Advice Service if they require any support and advice as the decarbonisation of commercial property can be more complex than residential property.
“Propertymark looks forward to the support service going national.”
