.avif)
-
17/12/25 3:30 pm
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements remain a key part of landlord compliance in the private rented sector. While plans to raise minimum EPC standards have shifted over time, landlords still need to understand the current rules, how policy has evolved and what future changes may mean for rental property.
This guide explains where EPC regulation stands now, why previous deadlines were extended, and how landlords can plan for future energy-efficiency requirements.
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), landlords in England and Wales must ensure privately rented properties have an EPC rating of E or above. It is illegal to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G unless a valid exemption has been registered.
An EPC is required when a property is marketed for rent and is valid for 10 years.
Official government guidance on current landlord obligations can be found at here.
LandlordZONE also regularly covers EPC compliance issues, including enforcement risks and exemption rules, within its energy efficiency and regulation reporting.
The government previously proposed raising the minimum EPC requirement for rental properties to C, with deadlines originally set for new tenancies and later for all tenancies.
Those proposals were later revised, with ministers confirming that the earlier EPC C deadlines would not proceed as planned. This decision followed concerns around affordability, delivery timescales and the impact on landlords — particularly those with older housing stock.
LandlordZONE has reported extensively on these shifts in policy direction and landlord reaction to changing EPC targets, including how many landlords had already prepared for higher standards.
The extension of proposed EPC deadlines reflected several challenges:
Industry bodies, including landlord organisations, warned that forcing rapid compliance could reduce rental supply if properties were withdrawn from the market.
Although earlier deadlines were paused, energy efficiency policy remains under review. Government consultations and industry discussions have continued to suggest a future minimum EPC C target, potentially with a longer lead-in period such as 2030.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has repeatedly urged government to provide clarity, adequate funding support and realistic timescales before introducing any new minimum standards.
Any future change would be subject to consultation and legislation, but landlords are being advised to keep energy efficiency under review rather than assume standards will remain unchanged.
Landlords must continue to meet the existing EPC E minimum, ensuring certificates are valid and exemptions properly registered where applicable.
Even without a higher legal minimum, improving EPC ratings can make properties more attractive to tenants, reduce void periods and help future-proof portfolios.
LandlordZONE has previously reported on how energy efficiency affects tenant demand and running costs across the private rented sector.
Because EPC standards are closely linked to climate and fuel-poverty policy, landlords should follow announcements from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and ongoing LandlordZONE coverage of EPC reform.
What EPC rating do landlords currently need?
Landlords must ensure rented properties have an EPC rating of E or above, unless a valid exemption applies.
Were landlords given more time to reach EPC C?
Earlier proposals to raise the minimum EPC standard were delayed and later withdrawn, meaning EPC C is not currently a legal requirement.
Is EPC C likely to become mandatory?
Policy discussions suggest a possible return of EPC C targets in the future, potentially with longer deadlines, but no law has yet been passed.
How often does an EPC need to be renewed?
An EPC is valid for 10 years and must be renewed once it expires if the property continues to be let.
What is the minimum EPC rating for landlords?
The current legal minimum is E, unless an exemption is registered.
Can landlords be fined for EPC breaches?
Yes. Local authorities can issue penalties if properties are let below the minimum standard without exemption.
Should landlords improve EPC ratings now?
Many landlords choose to improve energy efficiency voluntarily to reduce future compliance risk and attract tenants concerned about energy costs.
While deadlines and policy direction have shifted, EPC standards remain a core part of rental property regulation. Ensuring compliance today, understanding exemption rules and planning for possible future changes will help landlords manage risk and maintain viable portfolios.
LandlordZONE will continue to track EPC policy developments and landlord impacts as government energy-efficiency strategy evolves.
Tags:
.avif)
.avif)
Comments