What support is available for landlords in Wales ahead of the new MEES regulations?
The planned updates to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will mandate landlords to achieve a higher EPC C rating by 2030, a particular issue in Wales, where more than half (56%) of properties are rated a D or and E.
With estimates it could cost more than a billion pounds to get all of them up to a C rating or more, this may require substantial investments for some. With grants and support programs still available, now is an ideal opportunity to explore funding options and help reduce future costs of necessary upgrades.
Welsh Government Nest scheme
The Welsh Government Nest scheme is Wales’s national energy-efficiency grant, aimed primarily at landlords with tenants on low incomes or receiving means-tested benefits.
Measures available through Nest can include:
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Boiler repairs or replacements
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Heat pumps
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Loft and wall insulation
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Solar panels (in some circumstances)
To qualify, tenants must:
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Rent privately or own their home (excluding social housing)
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Receive a means-tested benefit
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Live in a property with an EPC rating of D or below
How to apply
Tenants or landlords applying on their behalf can contact Nest, and eligible households may be offered a package of energy-efficiency improvements.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is the only other grant available directly to landlords, without requiring tenants to meet specific eligibility criteria. It supports the replacement of existing gas, oil, or electric heating systems with lower-carbon alternatives and currently offers:
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£7,500 towards an air source heat pump
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£7,500 towards a ground source heat pump
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£5,000 towards a biomass boiler (available only for rural off-gas-grid properties)
The scheme is available to both landlords and homeowners.
It's worth noting that funds from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme do not count towards the proposed £10,000 MEES cost cap. Nevertheless, they can still offer valuable additional assistance during retrofit projects.
Applications are submitted through an installer certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), rather than directly by the landlord. The installer confirms eligibility, submits the application to the landlord, and deducts the grant from the overall installation cost.
You can find a certified installer by searching the MCS register or contacting local renewable heating providers.
Challenges to accessing funding
While these schemes can provide valuable support, many landlords may feel that the funding currently available does not go far enough, particularly where eligibility depends on tenant income or benefit status.
Landlords may also face practical challenges when accessing grants, including lengthy application processes, uncertainty about timelines, and difficulties coordinating retrofit work during short vacant periods between tenancies.
Share your experiences - and find out more
If you have experience accessing grants in Wales, positive or negative, we would welcome hearing from you as we continue engaging with policymakers on the practical delivery of MEES reforms. Email us your store at [email protected] and we will be in touch.
