The Almshouse Association CEO, Nick Phillips, recently met with key partners at the Historic England Offices in London to discuss the forthcoming review of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)/ Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations, in collaboration with representatives from Historic England, the National Trust, The Crown Estate, CCLA, Church Commissioners, and others. The meeting focused on proposals under consideration by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which include significant potential changes to the legislation.
Key elements of the proposals include:
- raising the spend cap to £15,000
- adopting a “fabric first” approach to energy efficiency
- extending the regulations to cover short-term lets.
These changes could have considerable implications for member charities. Throughout the discussions, we strongly advocated on all relevant aspects, making the case for the unique needs and circumstances of our members. While supporting the broader drive toward improved energy efficiency, we emphasised the importance of ensuring that almshouses remain financially sustainable.
We will be submitting a formal response to the consultation on behalf of our members, ensuring that your voices are heard in the regulatory process.
posted 10 April 2025