Renters' Rights Act 2025, Phase 1 commencement
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England, Wales, Compliance

EPC Landlord Guide, Certificate Requirements

Landlords must have a valid EPC (grade E or above) for every rental property. What it covers, how to get one, the EPC C upgrade proposal, and what happens without one. England and Wales guide.

7 min readUpdated 8 May 2026Last reviewed: 10 September 2026 by Richard Wood, FounderComplianceEnergy EfficiencyLandlord Responsibilities
Written and reviewed by· Founder, LetSafe UKLast reviewed: 10 September 2026

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). All rental properties in England and Wales must have a valid EPC and the minimum permitted rating is E. Letting a property with an F or G rating is unlawful and carries civil penalties of up to £2,000 (breach under 3 months) or £4,000 (breach of 3 months or more), capped at £5,000 in total per property.

EPC basics for landlords

  • An EPC is required before a property is marketed or let
  • The certificate is valid for 10 years, a new assessment is required after expiry
  • The minimum standard for rental properties in England and Wales is EPC grade E
  • An EPC must be commissioned from an accredited domestic energy assessor
  • The EPC must be provided to prospective tenants before the tenancy commences
  • Check whether your property already has a valid EPC at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

  • It is unlawful to let a property with an EPC below E to a new tenant (since April 2018)
  • It is unlawful to continue letting a property with an EPC below E to any tenant (since April 2020)
  • Civil penalty: up to £2,000 per property for a breach under 3 months; up to £4,000 for a breach of 3 months or more (£5,000 total maximum per property)
  • Exemptions exist for listed buildings, properties where improvements exceed the cost cap, and where a valid exemption is on the PRS Exemptions Register

EPC C target, policy update

Proposed upgrade to EPC C

The UK government has proposed raising the minimum standard for new lettings to EPC C by 2028 and all rentals by 2030. This is policy, not yet enacted law as of May 2026. Landlords with D-rated or below properties should plan improvement works now.

  • EPC C target is a policy proposal, not yet law as of May 2026
  • When enacted, the threshold will apply to new tenancies first, then existing tenancies
  • Properties at D or below should plan: insulation, boiler upgrade, double glazing
  • Government funding available in some cases: ECO4 scheme and Boiler Upgrade Scheme

How to get an EPC

  • Commission an accredited domestic energy assessor, search at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk
  • The assessor inspects insulation, heating, windows, hot water, and lighting
  • Cost: typically £60 to £120 for a standard property
  • The EPC is lodged on the national register and valid for 10 years
  • If you make significant energy improvements (new boiler, insulation), commission a new EPC to reflect the changes

EPC and possession proceedings

A missing EPC does not invalidate a Section 8 notice under the Renters' Rights Act 2025: the statutory possession restrictions are deposit protection and, once the duty is live, Private Landlord Database registration. EPC failures carry their own penalties, so ensure the EPC is served with the tenancy documents at move-in.

Primary sources

This page is drafted against the legislation below. Always check the current text of the law before acting.

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