Landlord EPC Requirements 2025–2026

Last updated: March 2026 · Reviewed by HouseData editorial team · Back to all guides

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) sit at the heart of private rented sector regulation in the UK. As a landlord, you must have a valid EPC for every property you let, and that certificate must show a minimum rating — failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 per property.

This guide covers the current rules in England and Wales, Scotland's distinct requirements, what is proposed to change and when, and how to check and improve your properties.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor who visits the property and records details about insulation, heating systems, windows, and lighting. The assessment takes typically 30 to 90 minutes.

An EPC contains two things landlords should pay close attention to: the current energy efficiency rating, and a list of recommended improvements that would raise the rating. That recommendations section is often the most useful document you have when planning upgrades.

EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date they are lodged on the national register. You can look up any property's current EPC for free at epcregister.com (England and Wales) or scottishepcregister.org.uk.

Current EPC rules for landlords in England and Wales

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), introduced under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, set a floor for the EPC rating you are permitted to let at.

• Since April 2018: New tenancies could not start in properties rated F or G
• Since April 2020: The rule extended to all tenancies, including existing ones — so even long-standing tenants in F or G properties are covered

In short: from April 2020, every privately rented domestic property in England and Wales must have a valid EPC with a rating of at least E, unless a valid exemption has been registered. You cannot wait until a tenant leaves to deal with an F or G rating — you are already in breach if your tenant is living there now.

The proposed changes: EPC C by 2030

The government has consulted on raising the minimum EPC threshold for private rentals from E to C. Under those proposals, which have not yet been legislated, the timetable would be:

The practical implication for landlords with large portfolios is clear: planning to bring properties from D or E up to C takes time, money, and contractor availability. Properties rated D are currently compliant but at risk if the proposed 2030 changes become law. Starting to plan and budget now, rather than waiting for legislation, puts you in a much stronger position.

The new EPC methodology: SAP 11 and the Home Energy Model

The current EPC methodology is based on SAP 10.2 (Standard Assessment Procedure). The government is developing a replacement called the Home Energy Model (HEM), sometimes referred to informally as SAP 11. This is expected to launch in 2027, before any proposed 2028 compliance deadline.

The new methodology is designed to give a more accurate picture of real-world energy use. Key changes expected under HEM include:

• Greater credit for low-carbon heating (heat pumps, heat networks) compared to the current system
• Changes to how gas boiler efficiency is scored — some gas-heated properties may see their rating fall
• Better accounting for actual insulation performance in older solid-wall properties
• More weight given to on-site renewable generation

Crucially, properties that currently sit at EPC C could potentially fall to D under the new methodology without any physical changes. Landlords are advised to monitor developments and not assume a current C rating will transfer automatically.

EPC requirements in Scotland

Scotland has its own energy efficiency framework for private rentals, separate from the England and Wales MEES regime. Key points for Scottish landlords:

• All private rented properties in Scotland must have a valid EPC (required since 2009 for new tenancies, extended over time)
• Under the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2), the Scottish Government set a target for all private rentals to meet EPC C by December 2025 — though enforcement details and timelines have been subject to review
• Properties let under a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) must have a valid EPC provided to the tenant
• The Scottish PRS operates under different tenancy legislation (Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016) and different enforcement bodies

Scottish landlords should consult the Scottish Government website and their local council for the current confirmed requirements. The rules differ in important ways from England and Wales.

When do you need a new EPC?

You do not need a new EPC simply because time has passed, provided the current certificate is under 10 years old. However, you will need a new assessment when:

• Your current EPC has expired (10 years from lodgement date)
• You have made significant improvements to the property that would change the rating — while not legally required in all cases, an updated EPC will reflect your investment and may be needed when applying for grants
• You have converted or substantially altered the property in a way that changes its energy characteristics
• Your EPC was issued under an older methodology and you want a rating under the current system

How to check your EPC rating

The fastest way to check the current EPC for any property in England or Wales is to visit epcregister.com and search by postcode or address. The register shows the current rating, the potential rating if all recommendations were implemented, and the full list of recommended measures.

For Scotland, use scottishepcregister.org.uk.

You can also check multiple properties at once using the HouseData portfolio checker, which pulls EPC data for all your properties and flags those at risk under current and proposed rules.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Local housing authorities in England and Wales are responsible for enforcing MEES. The penalty structure for letting a property below EPC E without a registered exemption is:

• Up to £2,000 for a breach lasting up to 3 months
• Up to £4,000 for a breach lasting more than 3 months
• Up to £1,000 for providing false or misleading information
• Up to £2,000 for registering a false exemption

Total combined fines can reach £30,000 per property in the most serious cases. Enforcement notices are also published on the PRS Exemptions Register, creating a public record of non-compliance.

Exemptions from EPC requirements

There are a number of legitimate exemptions available to landlords who cannot bring a property up to EPC E (or, in future, EPC C). Exemptions must be registered on the government's PRS Exemptions Register at gov.uk. They do not apply automatically. Valid exemption categories include:

• All improvements made: You have made all relevant improvements recommended by the EPC and the property still does not reach the required rating
• High cost: The cost of improvements would exceed the relevant cap (currently £3,500 including VAT for domestic properties)
• Consent withheld: Your tenant or a third party (such as a leaseholder or freeholder) has refused to allow works
• Devaluation: A qualified surveyor has confirmed that works would reduce the market value of the property by 5% or more
• Temporary exemption: Available for 6 months following a change in tenancy or property acquisition

Exemptions last 5 years. They do not transfer between landlords — if you sell or transfer ownership, the new landlord must register their own exemption if one is needed.

What landlords should do now

1. Check the EPC rating of every property you let. Confirm the rating, the expiry date, and the current recommendations listed on the certificate.
2. Identify any F or G properties immediately. These are already non-compliant unless a valid exemption is registered. Do not wait.
3. Flag properties rated D or E. Under proposed 2030 changes, these will need improvement. Planning now gives you more time to access grants, find installers, and spread costs.
4. Check your grant eligibility. Schemes such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) can fund or contribute to upgrade costs, particularly where tenants are on low incomes or benefits.
5. Commission a fresh EPC for any expired certificates before your next re-let or tenancy renewal.