EPC rules for landlords: ratings, exemptions and what is changing

In England and Wales a landlord cannot let or keep letting a covered home rated F or G, so the minimum EPC rating is E unless a registered exemption applies. The government has confirmed a plan to raise this to the equivalent of C by 1 October 2030, but as of 30 October 2026 that is policy, not yet law.

What EPC rules apply to landlords today?

Two separate rules apply. The first is the duty to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you market a property to let. The second is the minimum energy efficiency standard, usually called MEES, set by the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.

• EPC validity. Ten years, or until a newer one is produced. It can be reused for several lets in that period.
• Who produces it. Only an accredited domestic energy assessor who belongs to a government-approved accreditation scheme.
• EPC fixed penalty. Government guidance says a fixed penalty of £200 can apply where a landlord does not commission an EPC before marketing or does not give a valid EPC to the new tenant.

How much do landlords have to spend to reach E?

The spending cap is £3,500 per property, including VAT. Third-party funding such as ECO or local authority grants is not subject to the cap if it covers the full cost, and energy efficiency work since 1 October 2017 can count toward it. The £5,000 figure you may see quoted is the maximum total penalty, not a cap on spending.

What exemptions exist?

Six, and most last five years: all relevant improvements made, high cost (three installer quotes), wall insulation harm, third-party consent refused, property devaluation of more than 5% confirmed by an RICS-registered surveyor, and a temporary six-month exemption for those who recently became a landlord. Each must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register through GOV.UK with One Login. The register is public.

What are the penalties?

The total is capped at £5,000 per property, per breach. Councils can issue a compliance notice up to 12 months after a suspected breach and a penalty up to 18 months after.

What is changing: the EPC C by 2030 plan?

On 21 January 2026 the government published its response to the 2025 consultation. It confirms:

The response says the government will seek new powers by Act of Parliament and then lay a statutory instrument, aiming for it to come into force in 2027. It does not say the regulations have been laid. Homes rated C or above on the existing Energy Efficiency Rating before 1 October 2029 are treated as compliant until that EPC expires or is replaced. Relevant spend from 1 October 2025 counts toward the cap.

Our guide to EPC rules for landlords has the full detail, including the exemption table and what the plan means for each property.

How much does an EPC cost?

The government does not set a price. In published prices we found in October 2026, one online seller listed £65 including VAT for a 1 to 3 bed property and £90 for a 4 to 5 bed property, and a cost guide gave a typical range of £45 to £120. These are published prices, not our own survey.

How do EPC rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

• Wales. The 2015 regulations apply, so E is the minimum, and the government’s January 2026 response says the planned standard covers England and Wales. Check gov.wales for Welsh-specific provisions.
• Scotland. A separate EPC register applies. The Scottish Government has consulted on its own standard, proposing band C on a new Heat Retention Rating for new tenancies from 2028 and for all privately rented homes by the end of 2033. We found no confirmation it is in force.
• Northern Ireland. The government’s EPC search service covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We did not find a private-rented minimum standard for Northern Ireland, so check nidirect or the Department for Communities.

Are EPCs themselves changing?

Yes. The government is reforming how EPCs are calculated, with new headline metrics. Its partial response, updated on 9 March 2026, moved the launch of reformed domestic EPCs from October 2026 to the second half of 2027 and keeps the ten-year validity period. An in-date EPC stays valid.

How does this connect to other landlord duties?

Your EPC details, a copy of the latest EPC and any MEES exemption are among the information the new landlord database will ask for when it opens on 15 December 2026. The Renters’ Rights Act guide sets out the regional dates. Our landlord certificates checklist places the EPC alongside gas, electrical and alarm duties, and the renewal calendar tracks expiry dates. To find an accredited assessor, use find a professional.

When do you need an EPC, and which buildings are exempt?

You must order an EPC before you market a property to let. Government guidance says it should be obtained within seven days, with a further 21 days allowed if it cannot be obtained despite reasonable efforts. It must be made available to prospective tenants no later than when they ask about the property or view it. Lease renewals and extensions do not count as a new let, and existing tenants do not need an EPC.

Examples of buildings that do not need an EPC include temporary buildings used for two years or less, stand-alone buildings under 50 square metres, places of worship, some listed buildings where meeting the minimum requirements would unacceptably alter their character, and residential buildings used for less than four months a year. Individual rooms let out are also listed.

What should landlords do now?

1. Search the EPC register for each property and note the rating, expiry date and recommended measures.
2. If a property is F or G, plan improvements up to the £3,500 cap or register an exemption before letting.
3. If a property is D or E, ask your assessor which measures would raise the rating most per pound, and keep invoices from 1 October 2025.
4. Check for grants before paying yourself; the government response mentions ECO4 and Warm Homes: Local Grant.
5. Diarise each EPC expiry on the renewal calendar.

All our EPC and compliance guides

• EPC rules for landlords: the E minimum, exemptions, penalties and the 2030 plan.
• Renters’ Rights Act landlord compliance: what is in force and what is coming.
• Landlord certificates checklist: every certificate and its frequency.
• Compliance checker: a tailored list for your property.

This guide explains the rules as published on 30 October 2026; for a specific property, check with your local council or a qualified professional.