Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal document that rates how energy efficient a home is on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) using the government-approved Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP or RdSAP for existing homes) and lodged on the publicly accessible EPC Register. The certificate shows two ratings: the current energy efficiency rating and the potential rating achievable if all recommended improvements were carried out. It also includes an estimated annual energy cost for the property and a detailed recommendations report setting out specific measures, such as insulation, glazing, or heating upgrades, with their expected impact on the rating and estimated savings.
EPCs are required for most properties in England and Wales when they are sold, let, or newly built. For landlords, the EPC is both an administrative requirement and a compliance threshold: the certificate must be obtained before the property is marketed, the energy efficiency rating must be included in all property advertisements, and a free copy of the full EPC must be given to any prospective tenant before they sign the tenancy agreement. The EPC sits within the broader set of energy efficiency rules that apply to private landlords in England and Wales.
An EPC is valid for ten years from the date of issue. A landlord does not need to commission a new EPC simply because a tenancy ends or a new tenant moves in, provided the certificate on the register remains within its validity window. However, if significant improvement works have been carried out, for example, a new boiler, solid wall insulation, or double glazing, it is worth commissioning an updated EPC to reflect the improved rating, both for MEES compliance purposes and to present accurately to prospective tenants.
Current requirements: the EPC E minimum
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 as amended, it has been unlawful since 1 April 2020 to let or continue to let any domestic property covered by the Regulations with an EPC rating of F or G, unless a valid exemption is registered. This applies to all assured tenancies regardless of whether there has been a change in tenancy.
A landlord who fails to obtain and provide an EPC also faces a separate consequence under tenancy law. Before 1 May 2026, failing to provide the EPC at the start of a tenancy invalidated any Section 21 notice. While Section 21 was abolished by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 from that date, the obligation to provide the EPC at tenancy commencement remains, and failure to do so may affect the validity of notices or other legal steps under the new regime.
Local housing authorities enforce MEES compliance and can impose financial penalties of up to £5,000 per property for letting in breach of the E minimum.
How to get an EPC
An EPC can only be produced by an accredited energy assessor. Landlords can find accredited assessors through the EPC Register, which lists all qualified assessors in England and Wales. The assessment involves a visit to the property, typically 30 to 60 minutes for a standard home, during which the assessor inspects construction type, insulation, windows, heating systems, and controls. The fee for a standard domestic EPC is typically £60 to £120 depending on property size and location, and it is a tax-deductible expense for landlords. If tenants are in occupation, at least 24 hours' written notice must be given before the assessor visits.
The EPC assessment was updated in June 2025 (RDSAP10), introducing more detailed measurements of wall types and window specifications to improve rating accuracy. Landlords who had their EPC assessed before June 2025 may find a fresh assessment produces a slightly different result.
The 2030 roadmap: EPC C
On 21 January 2026, the government confirmed through the Warm Homes Plan that all privately rented properties in England and Wales will be required to achieve a minimum EPC band C by 1 October 2030, a single compliance date applying to new and existing tenancies. Landlords will be required to invest up to £10,000 per property on qualifying energy efficiency improvements, with expenditure from 1 October 2025 counting towards that cap. A low-value property exemption will apply where £10,000 would represent 10% or more of the property's market value.
Alongside the 2030 deadline, a new Home Energy Model (HEM) assessment methodology will replace the current SAP/RdSAP system for new EPCs from late 2026, with HEM becoming mandatory for EPC assessments from 1 October 2029. Properties that achieve EPC C under the current SAP system before 1 October 2029 will be treated as compliant until their EPC expires, giving a meaningful advantage to landlords who act before 2029. Properties whose EPC expires after that date will need a new HEM-based assessment, which is expected to be more demanding on certain property types, particularly those relying on gas heating.
Common improvements that can raise a property's EPC rating include: loft insulation to 270mm, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, double or triple glazing, a more efficient boiler, heating controls and programmers, LED lighting throughout, and draught proofing. The August EPC band improvement calculator models the likely rating impact and cost of different improvement combinations.
For detailed guidance on the 2030 EPC C requirement, including the cost cap, HEM methodology change, exemptions, and practical upgrade planning, see the August MEES guide for landlords.
Practical obligations for landlords
August's property insights feature automatically retrieves a property's current EPC score, potential score, and certificate expiry date from the EPC Register the moment a landlord adds their property. There is no manual lookup required. Both the current and potential ratings appear on a visual colour scale inside the property dashboard, giving a clear picture of where the property sits and how far it would need to travel to reach the 2030 EPC C requirement.
August's compliance checklist tracks EPC expiry dates across a landlord's portfolio and sends reminders before the 10-year validity window closes, so no certificate is missed between tenancy changes.
For the full framework of legal requirements governing EPC standards, including the current E minimum, the 2030 C deadline, exemptions, and the cost cap, see the August definition of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. For a full landlord guide to EPCs, including how to find an accredited assessor, what the assessment covers, and how to improve your rating, see the August guide to EPCs for landlords.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords legally need an EPC?
Yes. In England and Wales, a valid EPC must be obtained before a property is marketed for rent. The energy efficiency rating must be included in all property advertisements. A free copy of the full EPC must be given to any prospective tenant before they sign the tenancy agreement. Failure to comply can result in a financial penalty of up to £5,000 and may affect a landlord's ability to serve valid possession notices.
What is the minimum EPC rating for a rental property?
The current minimum under MEES is EPC band E. Properties rated F or G cannot legally be let in England and Wales unless a valid exemption is registered on the government's PRS Exemptions Register. From 1 October 2030, the minimum will rise to EPC band C under the Warm Homes Plan.
How much does an EPC cost and how long does it last?
An EPC assessment for a standard domestic property typically costs between £60 and £120 and takes 30 to 60 minutes. The certificate is valid for ten years from the date of issue. Landlords do not need to renew between tenancies provided the certificate remains within its validity period, though a new certificate may be worth commissioning after significant energy efficiency improvements.
What happens if a landlord does not have a valid EPC?
A landlord without a valid EPC cannot legally let the property. They face a financial penalty of up to £5,000 from the local housing authority. They also risk being unable to serve valid possession notices, since providing the EPC at the start of the tenancy is a prerequisite for certain legal steps under tenancy law.
When do landlords need to achieve EPC C?
By 1 October 2030, under the Warm Homes Plan confirmed in January 2026. This is a single compliance date for all private tenancies, there is no earlier deadline for new lets. Landlords must invest up to £10,000 per property on qualifying improvements; if C cannot be reached after that expenditure, an exemption can be registered.
