You’ve bought a new retail unit and want to attract good, long-term tenants. In the promotional material, you’ll probably highlight its location and amenities, along with parking, service charges, and broadband speeds. You might even arrange virtual tours and 3D walkthroughs to really showcase the property but only give the EPC a mention.

However, if you’re not promoting a building’s energy credentials, you’re not truly maximising your asset. It might seem obvious, but the results from our Non-Domestic MEES Compliance Scorecard indicate that this is very common omission, as we discovered that a surprising 75% of commercial landlords fail to leverage energy credentials when marketing properties in their core pitch to tenants and investors.

These should be front and centre in your commercial pitch. Promoting a good rating doesn’t just tick a regulatory box; properties with high EPC ratings are more attractive to tenants looking for a future-proof investment, making them easier to lease, while investors increasingly use EPC ratings as a marker of a quality asset and long-term value.

Cost savings are a strong selling point as a higher EPC rating usually indicates lower energy consumption and utility bills. That means by positioning your property as modern, efficient, and lower risk, it should encourage tenants to sign up to longer leases and reduce headaches over void periods. Properties with higher EPC ratings tend to command higher rents, and once they’ve moved in, warm and cosy tenants should be keener to stay put.

Marketing a building’s energy credentials helps you speak directly to savvy prospective tenants who want to compare buildings’ energy efficiency – if you don’t, that great retail unit might not look any different from a bog-standard shop. And for those bigger, corporate firms who have net-zero deadlines or an ESG banner to wave, leasing an energy-efficient property helps them meet sustainability reporting requirements and enhance brand reputation.

Some firms already appreciate the benefits of highlighting their green credentials, including Barrow-in-Furness-based Gilmour Engineering which is a great example of how a good EPC can attract desirable tenants who are happy to sign long leases. All its tenants signed up for between six to 10 years – attracted by the fact its newly refurbished commercial units are extremely energy efficient.

Meanwhile, lenders expect to see that this advantage is being realised in the market. If tenants value their premises – extending their lease or paying higher rents – this gives lenders confidence that it will continue to generate decent returns, while a future-proof building is also seen as a lower-risk asset. It proves the building is commercially resilient, attractive, and income-secure – which all helps with access to funding, potentially unlocking better rates and green finance products.

In short, if you market your strong EPC ratings, you’re more likely to sign longer leases and get fewer voids. As well as prominently featuring the EPC rating in brochures and property descriptions, it’s a good idea to explain how potential tenants would benefit from moving in, by talking their language in your marketing materials. How about something like: “Efficient heating, cooling and lighting will mean lower bills, a more comfortable workspace, a property that supports your green ambitions and confidence that you’re insulated against tougher energy regulations.”

Alongside marketing, Murton & Co’s online scorecard is getting landlords thinking about all aspects of non-domestic MEES compliance. It aims to de-risk assets, unlock green finance, improve tenant appeal, and position for stronger long-term returns by incorporating both the current MEES threshold (EPC band E) and the potential future threshold (which I reckon will be EPC band B from 2031). The scorecard helps by identifying which of the four categories – MEES Regulations & Legal Compliance, Financial Implications, Asset Value & Market Competitiveness, Investment & Occupier Appeal – needs the most urgent attention. Depending on the responses, it recommends actions including immediate upgrades and quick wins as well as general guidance on exemption advice, information about Energy Assessors and useful software.

Let’s not forget that properties with poor ratings may become illegal to let in future when standards tighten, so a good rating reassures tenants that the building is future-proof against sudden compliance risks or costly retrofits. As the sector prepares for phase two of non-domestic minimum energy efficiency standards – hopefully being announced in the next few months – it’s the perfect time to see where you stand.