Energy Performance Certificates for Rentals

An Energy Performance Certificate assesses the energy efficiency of a building and provides an overall rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), along with a numerical score. It also provides recommendations for improving the property's efficiency. EPCs are produced by accredited domestic energy assessors who carry out a survey of the property.

An EPC lasts for 10 years. Landlords must have a valid EPC before marketing a property to let and must provide a copy to prospective tenants. For ongoing tenancies, the EPC should have been provided at the start of the tenancy — if it has since expired and the tenancy continues, the landlord must obtain a new EPC if they are re-letting the property.

You can check whether your property has a valid EPC and see the current rating for free on the government's Energy Performance of Buildings Register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk.

Since 1 April 2020, private landlords in England and Wales have been unable to let residential properties with an EPC rating of F or G to new or existing tenants. This is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regime under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.

The current minimum is band E. The government has consulted on raising the minimum to band C by 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for all tenancies, though this has been subject to delays and review. Check current government guidance for the latest position.

There are limited exemptions — for example, where the cost of improvements would exceed a cap, or where the property is listed and cannot be modified. Landlords who claim an exemption must register it on the national PRS Exemptions Register.

A landlord who lets a property in breach of the MEES regulations can be fined up to £5,000 per property and the breach also prevents the landlord from serving a valid Section 21 notice.

If your rented home has a poor EPC rating, you may be entitled to improvements at no cost to you. Landlords have an obligation not to let sub-standard properties, and where they claim an exemption based on cost, the cap on required expenditure means improvements costing up to £3,500 (including VAT) must still be made.

You can raise the EPC rating directly with your landlord. If the current rating is F or G, the landlord is legally prohibited from continuing to let the property and you can report this to your local authority's energy enforcement team.

You may also be eligible for government-funded energy efficiency improvements through schemes such as the Great British Insulation Scheme or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), depending on your circumstances. Contact your energy supplier or local council for details.