EPC for Landlords: Key considerations

If you rent out a property in the UK, understanding energy performance certificates (EPCs) is an important part of staying compliant and keeping costs under control for your tenants.

An energy performance certificate (EPC) shows how energy-efficient a building is using a scaling system that ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

The certificate also includes an estimate of the property’s typical energy costs and carbon emissions, along with recommendations for improvements that could help increase the rating and reduce energy usage. EPCs are typically required when a property is built, sold, or rented.

The government announced details of its new Warm Homes Plan in January 2026, which has significant implications for private landlords in England and Wales.

From 1 October 2030, all domestic private rental properties will need an EPC rating of C or above, or a valid exemption.

The existing methodology used to measure energy performance will also change, switching from the cost-based Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) to the new Home Energy Model (HEM) from 1 October 2029.

If your rental property already has an EPC C rating before 1 October 2029, it’ll remain compliant with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) until that EPC expires (certificates usually last 10 years).

Any property that doesn’t have an EPC C after 1 October 2029 will be assessed under the new HEM system, which is likely to make it harder to achieve a C rating or its equivalent.

Under the proposed changes, future EPCs are expected to show several separate scores, based on:

• How well the home is insulated
• How efficient the heating system is
• Estimated running costs
• How suitable the home is for smart technology

The Home Energy Model (HEM) is a new way of calculating EPC ratings. It’ll replace the current cost-based Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), which estimates the cost of heating, lighting, and hot water.

Instead, HEM will assess two key areas:

• Fabric performance: how well a property is insulated and how efficient the building is overall
• Heating systems or smart readiness: once fabric performance is met, landlords can choose between demonstrating an efficient heating system or a property’s ability to generate its own energy using smart technology

In practice, this could mean many landlords will need to install a heat pump (under the heating systems metric) or solar panels (under the smart readiness metric) to achieve an equivalent C rating or higher under the new system.

The government launched a consultation in January 2026 to determine how the new metrics will be calculated and whether the A-G rating system will be kept. Although HEM is due to be introduced from 2026, it won’t become compulsory for EPCs until 1 October 2029.

From 1 October 2030, the minimum EPC rating for all domestic private rented properties will rise from E to C. Landlords whose properties fall below this standard might not be able to continue letting them without a valid exemption registered.

The government has also confirmed that:

• Landlords should not be required to spend more than £10,000 per property (including VAT) on energy efficiency improvements
• Exemptions will be valid for 10 years

Since the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were introduced in 2018, rental properties in England and Wales have needed at least an E rating.

If your property has an F or G rating, you’ll need to carry out improvements to bring it up to an E, or spend up to £3,500 on suitable improvements to qualify for an exemption.

The government has confirmed that all tenancies, both new and existing, will need to meet a minimum standard of C by 1 October 2030.

To get an EPC, you’ll need to hire a qualified energy assessor to carry out an assessment of your property.

During the visit, the assessor will check things like insulation, heating systems, and windows. Once complete, you’ll receive your EPC rating (from A to G) along with recommendations for improvements.

Here’s what to expect:

• Cost is typically around £60 to £120
• The certificate is valid for 10 years
• Most rental properties need at least an E rating before being let out

Landlords with properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can use the government’s EPC register to find a qualified assessor. Those with properties in Scotland can use the Scottish EPC Register website.

An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date it was issued. You’ll only need to renew it when it expires.

That said, you might choose to get a new EPC sooner if you’ve made significant improvements to the property and want a better rating reflected on the certificate.

If you need to arrange an assessment while the property is occupied, it’s a good idea to agree a convenient time with your tenant. Once the new certificate is issued, you should give your tenant a copy.

The EPC itself will list suggested improvements specific to your property. Some common changes that could help boost your rating include:

• Switching to LED lighting: LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs and can help reduce electricity usage throughout the property.
• Insulating your hot water cylinder: A hot water cylinder jacket helps retain heat for longer, reducing wasted energy and lowering heating costs.
• Installing heating controls: Features such as smart thermostats, room thermostats, and thermostatic radiator valves help tenants manage heating more efficiently and avoid unnecessary energy use.
• Replacing an older boiler with a more efficient model: Modern condensing boilers are typically far more energy efficient than older systems and can make a noticeable difference to a property’s EPC rating.
• Adding double glazing to windows: Double glazing helps reduce heat loss, improve insulation, and increase overall energy efficiency.
• Insulating walls and floors: Proper insulation helps retain heat within the property, improving comfort for tenants and reducing energy consumption.

Not having a valid EPC, or failing to meet the minimum rating, could result in a fine from your local authority.

Under the current rules, your local authority can impose a maximum civil penalty of up to £5,000 per property. This could be made up of several separate penalties:

• Up to £4,000 where regulations have been breached for three months or more
• Up to £1,000 where false or misleading information has been entered on the PRS Exemptions Register
• Up to £2,000 where a landlord has failed to comply with a compliance notice

Failing to provide a copy of the EPC to your tenant could also result in an additional fine of £500. Penalties are likely to increase under the new MEES regulations. You can view more guidance on the official government website.

Bringing every private rental property in England up to the 2030 standard is estimated to cost around £26.5 billion in total. The average cost to upgrade a non-compliant property is around £7,633, though this varies considerably by region, with some areas facing costs as high as £12,000.

Regional differences can be significant too. Some areas face upgrade costs equivalent to almost 150% of total annual rental income, while others could cover retrofit costs in just a few weeks of rental income.

Landlords will generally be expected to invest up to £10,000 per property to meet the new standard. There are also funding options that may be available to help with these costs.

Based on our latest research, nearly 3.38 million private rental properties currently fall below the government’s 2030 target, with EPC ratings of D or lower. That represents around 66% of current private rental stock.

At the current rate, it’s predicted that it would take until 2042 for all rental homes to meet the government’s target, and around 340,000 rental homes will need to make improvements each year to achieve a minimum EPC C rating by 2030.

However, this is before accounting for the new rating system, which is likely to make compliance harder to achieve.

From 1 April 2016, tenants have been able to ask their landlord for consent to carry out energy efficiency improvements to a rented property. This includes things like draught proofing, cavity wall insulation, the installation of heating and hot water controls (such as timers and thermostats), and replacement glazing.

While you should not unreasonably refuse consent, the energy-efficiency improvement must be wholly financed by:

• Through funding provided by central government, a local authority or any other person
• The tenant
• A combination of the two arrangements above

That means a request is only relevant if there’s no cost to the landlord. The tenant request must also be in writing (it can be posted) and detail the improvements they want in the property.

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Below are some frequently asked questions about EPC requirements for landlords.

Please note that these frequently asked questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions, please see the policy documentation.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) is the UK law that sets the minimum EPC rating a property needs before it can legally be let. Currently, the minimum is an E rating, rising to C from 1 October 2030.

Yes. You can email a copy of the EPC to your tenant, providing you have their permission to do so.

Your local authority can impose a maximum civil penalty of up to £5,000 per property. It’s worth noting that penalties are expected to increase significantly under the new MEES regulations, potentially rising to up to £30,000 per property, though this is subject to legislation. This could include:

• Up to £4,000 where regulations have been breached for three months or more
• Up to £1,000 for false or misleading information entered on the PRS Exemptions Register
• Up to £2,000 for failing to comply with a compliance notice

All rental properties in England and Wales need an EPC rating of E or above, unless they’re exempt. If your rental property has an F or G rating, it’s currently illegal to rent it out and you could be fined.

From 1 October 2030, the minimum EPC rating for rental properties in England and Wales will rise from E to C. This will apply to all tenancies, both new and existing.

The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Just Landlords accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.