EPC for Landlords
Under Article 7 of the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, any building that is sold, rented out or constructed must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
An EPC ranks the energy efficiency of a property from A (very efficient) to G (not very efficient) and is accompanied by recommendations on how to improve energy efficiency.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about EPC for landlords, including:
- The minimum EPC requirements for renting
- How to obtain an EPC
- How to improve your property’s EPC rating
- EPC exemptions
- EPC checklist for landlords
Need help managing your landlord obligations? Join the NRLA for access to unlimited expert support and advice, as well as exclusive discounts for landlords.
What is the minimum EPC for renting?
Since the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were introduced in 2018, properties must have at least an E rating. If your property has an F or G rating, you will need to carry out the requirements to bring it up to an E rating, or spend £3500 on suitable improvements to qualify for an exemption (see the section on EPC exemptions for more info).
The Government has announced that all tenancies will have to meet a new minimum standard of C by 2030.
How do I obtain an Energy Performance Certificate?
You will need an energy assessor to perform the assessment and issue you with the certificate.
You can use Safe2 to organise the assessment and arrange the date with either the tenant or letting agent, making complying with your EPC landlord obligations easy and stress-free.
The energy assessor will need access to all parts of the property to carry out their assessment. This will include:
- Inspecting heating systems and controls
- Taking measurements and photographs of all key data contained in the survey
If there are tenants currently living in the property, you or the letting agent must give them at least 24 hours written notice before the EPC assessment takes place.
NRLA members get 5% off any compliance certificates obtained through Safe2 - become a member today and reap the benefits.
Changes to EPC methodology in 2025
On 15 June 2025 the methodology for calculating EPC ratings was updated. This update (known as RDSAP10) includes things like:
- More detailed and accurate information on the types of walls and wall insulation options.
- A requirement to individually measure all windows in a home.
- More specific information on the thickness of roof insulation
- The type and number of light bulbs
- The presence of new technologies such as small scale hydroelectric generation
- Heat pumps will be recommended more regularly for homes that are suitable and where it is cost effective.
- New recommendations including PV battery storage and diverters will be suggested but only where PV systems exist already.
These changes mean that EPCs require more detailed inspections and measurements, so it is likely to take more time to perform and cost more for an inspection.
Replacing the EPC
The Government has confirmed that they will be replacing the current EPC with a new type of certificate. Rather than having one singular energy efficiency rating, the new EPC will have multiple different metrics ranking a property based on its cost to run, fabric performance, smart readiness, and heating system.
This new type of EPC is expected to be released in late 2027, once the government finalises the new scoring for each metric.
Raising the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards from 2030
The Government has also confirmed that from 2030 they will raise the minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented dwellings to a C rating. This C rating can be obtained in one of two ways:
- Before October 2029 if you reach an EPC C rating under the current EPC or the cost metric on the new style EPC, then you can let the property for the duration of the EPC.
- From October 2029 to hit a C rating you will need to hit a minimum standard for the fabric of the property and also meet the minimum standard for either the heating system or the smart readiness metrics.
For further information on this, see our dedicated Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards page.
How often do I need to renew my EPC?
Once issued, the EPC is valid for 10 years. You should send a copy of the EPC to new tenants at the start of every new tenancy. If the EPC expires during a tenancy, you do not need to get a new EPC until the tenancy ends.
You do not have to get a new EPC for your rental property during the 10-year period even if you have work carried out, although you can obtain a new one if you wish to show that the energy efficiency of the property has been improved. This might make the property more appealing to potential tenants.
If you want to obtain a new EPC while the property is being lived in by a tenant, you should arrange the assessment for a time that is convenient for the tenant and issue them with a copy of the new EPC once the assessment is completed.
If the dwelling is converted so it contains more or fewer separate dwellings, new EPCs will be required when each is rented out. Similarly, if you have made adjustments to the property because of Green Deal Funding then you are required to get a new EPC and use that one from now on.
How can I improve my EPC rating?
There are a number of improvements you can make to your property to improve its EPC rating. The EPC will list potential improvements for your property on the document itself. Some changes that might make your property more energy efficient include:
- Switching to LED lights
- Insulating your hot water cylinder
- Installing heating controls
- Replacing your boiler
- Adding double glazing to windows
- Insulating walls and floors
Making energy efficient improvements to your property can be costly, but it’s often a worthwhile investment. A higher EPC rating can help to increase your property’s value and make it more attractive to potential tenants.
How do I qualify for an EPC exemption?
If you make improvements that cost up to £3,500 and still can’t improve your EPC rating to a minimum of an E, you can register for an ‘all relevant improvements made’ exemption.
You can find further details and how to apply for an EPC exemption on the government website.
What happens if I don’t have a valid EPC?
Your local authority has the power to issue fines for several offences between £1000 - £4000, with the maximum total being a fine of up to £5000 if you do not have an EPC of the minimum rating for your rental property.
Additionally, failure to make a copy of the EPC available to your tenants could result in the local authority issuing a minimum fine of £500.
These fines are likely to increase to a maximum of £30,000 for non-compliance with the new MEES regulation.
EPCs for houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
An EPC is only required for a dwelling that is self-contained. Where your are renting individual rooms in a building and the tenants share facilities such as a kitchen, an EPC is not required. This because an EPC is only required on the rental of a building or part of a building designed or altered to be used separately.
In contrast, if you have a house in multiple occupation and you are renting out the whole property on a joint tenancy, then it would meet the requirements for an EPC. This is because the property let out is self-contained.
Example 1
A house or flat is rented by a number of tenants who have exclusive use of their bedrooms but share a kitchen and bathroom. In this case, each tenant has a contract with the landlord for the parts they have access to, but not for a whole dwelling. An EPC should not be required each time a tenant moves, although one will be required for the whole house if it is sold or rented as a whole.
Example 2
A group of friends rent a property and there is a single contract between the landlord and the group as the contract is for the rental of a whole dwelling. An EPC is required for the whole dwelling.
This is likely to change in the near future. The Government has proposed making EPC's a legal requirment for HMO's. These reforms will likely come into force in late 2026.
EPC checklist for landlords
Keeping on top of your EPC landlord obligations can be daunting. Use this EPC checklist before each new tenancy begins to make sure you’re being compliant.
- Commission and obtain an EPC from a registered assessor, unless one is already available
- Ensure that any advertisements for the property contain the energy rating of the property
- Make a copy of the EPC available to any prospective tenant free of charge
- Give the tenant a free copy of the EPC before they sign the tenancy agreement, including the recommendation report. This applies even if they have already seen it
- Ensure you are complying with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Can I email an EPC to my tenants?
Yes. You can email a copy of the EPC to your tenants provided you have the necessary consent from them to send documents via email. The NRLA Tenancy Application Form contains a section requesting this consent that you can use, as does our template for assured shorthold tenancy agreements.
Save on your next EPC assessment as a member of the NRLA
NRLA members save 5% on all EPC assessments that are booked via Safe2.
- You’ll also save 5% on a wide range of other safety certificates that landlords need, including:
- Gas Safety Certificate
- Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
- Portable Appliance Test (PAT)
- Fire Risk Assessment
And the discounts don’t stop there for NRLA members - when you join us, you’ll also gain access to a huge variety of exclusive landlord discounts on everything from insurance to furnishings.
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