EPC Requirements for Landlords —
Minimum Ratings and What's Changing

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 a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who inspects the property and assesses factors including insulation, heating system, windows, and general construction.

For landlords, an EPC has two distinct functions: it is a marketing requirement (the certificate must exist and be available to prospective tenants before viewings) and a compliance requirement (the rating must meet the minimum legal standard).

Current Minimum Rating

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2018, landlords in England may not grant a new tenancy of a property with an EPC rating of F or G. From April 2020, the prohibition extended to continuing tenancies — meaning properties rated F or G cannot legally be let at all, regardless of whether the tenancy predates 2020.

The current minimum is therefore E. Properties rated A through E can be legally let. Properties rated F or G cannot, unless a valid exemption applies.

The Proposed EPC C Requirement

The government has proposed requiring all rental properties in England to achieve a minimum EPC rating of C. The original proposal was for new tenancies from 2025 and all tenancies by 2028. As at April 2026, this policy has not been enacted in law — it remains a proposal under development.

However, the direction of policy is clear and has been consistent across successive governments. Landlords with properties currently rated D or E should consider this seriously when planning maintenance and improvement works. Upgrading insulation, heating systems, or windows that are approaching end of life anyway often has a meaningful impact on EPC ratings.

How Long Is an EPC Valid?

An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. You can check the certificate's expiry date and the full assessment on the government's online register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk using the property's postcode — no login required.

You do not need to renew an EPC that is still valid simply because a new tenancy is beginning. However, if your EPC has expired, you must obtain a new one before re-letting. If works have been carried out that would change the rating, obtaining a new EPC is good practice even if the existing one is technically still valid.

Exemptions

Landlords can register an exemption on the government's PRS Exemptions Register where one of the following applies:

• All improvements made: All relevant energy efficiency improvements have been made but the property still cannot achieve E
• Wall insulation exemption: A qualified surveyor confirms that installing wall insulation would damage the property's fabric or structure
• Third-party consent refused: Required permission (from a tenant, freeholder, or planning authority) for improvement works has been refused
• Devaluation exemption: A qualified surveyor confirms that the works would devalue the property by more than 5%
• New landlord exemption: A landlord who has recently acquired a non-compliant property has a 6-month grace period before the MEES Regulations apply

Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and most last for 5 years. An unregistered exemption does not protect the landlord from enforcement action.

Improving Your EPC Rating

Common improvements that typically increase EPC ratings, roughly in order of cost-effectiveness:

• Loft insulation — often the single highest-impact improvement
• Cavity wall insulation — significant impact on properties where applicable
• Draught-proofing — low cost, moderate impact
• LED lighting throughout — small but measurable impact
• Replacing an old inefficient boiler — significant impact, particularly moving from G-rated to A-rated boiler
• Double glazing where single-glazed windows remain — significant impact
• Solar panels — high impact, high upfront cost

Your EPC report includes a list of recommended improvements and the estimated uplift each one would provide. This is the most practical starting point for any improvement programme.

EPCs and Possession Proceedings

A valid EPC is one of the compliance requirements that must be in place before a Section 8 possession claim is likely to succeed. Courts are increasingly reviewing compliance documentation as part of possession proceedings, and a missing or expired EPC gives tenants' representatives a straightforward argument for adjourning proceedings.

More broadly: under the new possession framework following Section 21 abolition, all compliance gaps create risk. An EPC that lapsed three years into a tenancy and was never renewed is unlikely to be a tenant's primary defence, but in contested proceedings every gap is ammunition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an EPC for every tenancy at the same property?

No. The EPC covers the property, not the tenancy. Provided the EPC is valid and rated E or above, it covers any number of successive tenancies during its 10-year validity period.

Can a tenant challenge an EPC rating?

Tenants cannot challenge an EPC rating directly. However, if you believe an EPC rating is inaccurate, you can commission a new assessment from a different qualified assessor. If the assessor is accredited, you can also raise a complaint with their accreditation body.

Does the EPC cover common areas in a block of flats?

No. Each individual flat requires its own EPC. Common areas do not require a separate EPC for letting purposes, though the overall building may have its own certificate for other purposes.