MEES - EPC B from 2031 for commercial buildings over 1,000 m²
On 18 June 2026, the government published an interim response to the 2019 and 2021 consultations on increasing the future trajectory for minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for commercial property in England and Wales.
The headline announcement is that a standard of EPC B will be required from 2031 for commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres, where it is cost effective.
We look at this in more detail here.
Contractual controls register – Regulations made
On 8 June 2026, the Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 were made. These Regulations provide that on 6 April 2027 HM Land Registry will launch a digital service requiring certain information about ‘contractual control rights’ in relation to registered land in England and Wales to be submitted to the registrar. We look at the new register in more detail here.
Crucially, contractual control rights which are granted on or after 8 June 2026 will be caught by this new regime and subject to transitional provisions. For agreements which are granted on or after 8 June 2026 but before 6 April 2027, information about that right must be provided to the registrar before 6 October 2027.
Law Commission consultations – commercial leases
New consultations have been launched covering (i) security of tenure and (ii) targeted reforms to the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987 & the Landlord & Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995.
We take a look at these in more detail here.
Voluntary liquidation stops SDLT group relief clawback on later sale
The FTT has held arrangements involving a voluntary liquidation to prevent an SDLT degrouping charge clawback on a later share sale did not trigger anti-avoidance provisions.
You can read more about this here.
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