EPC Rules for Landlords:
The New EPC C Standard

Energy efficiency has moved from a nice-to-have to a legal requirement for landlords, and the standard is about to rise. The government has confirmed that privately rented homes in England will need to reach EPC C, up from the current minimum of E. This guide explains what is changing, when, and what it means for your properties.

This is general information rather than advice on your specific property. Energy rules are set through regulations that can be updated, so check the current GOV.UK guidance before making major spending decisions.

The current rule: EPC E

Since April 2020, landlords have not been able to let a property covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) with an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption is registered. That remains the law today. The change ahead raises that bar considerably.

The new standard: EPC C

The government has confirmed a phased move to a higher standard for private rented homes:

• New tenancies from 2028 will need to meet the higher EPC C standard.
• All tenancies by 2030 will need to comply.
• The updated regulations are expected to require compliance from 1 October 2030, with the enabling legislation planned to come into force in 2027.

In short, landlords have a window between now and the end of the decade to bring properties up to standard, but for properties with new tenancies the effective date arrives sooner.

The £10,000 cost cap

The government has confirmed a cost cap: landlords will be required to invest up to £10,000 per property on relevant energy efficiency improvements to meet the standard. If a property still falls short after £10,000 has been spent, the landlord will be able to register an exemption, valid for ten years, and continue to let the property during that time. This cap gives landlords a clear ceiling for planning, though the works themselves still need budgeting.

Landlords have a window between now and the end of the decade, but for properties with new tenancies the effective date arrives sooner.

What this means for your portfolio

• Know your ratings. Pull the current EPC for every property and identify which sit below C. Those are your priorities.
• Plan the works. Typical improvements include insulation, better heating controls, draught-proofing and low-energy lighting. Get quotes early, before demand and costs spike near the deadlines.
• Sequence by tenancy. Properties that will start new tenancies before 2028 need attention first, since the standard bites at the point of a new letting.
• Factor it into buy and sell decisions. A poorly rated property you are thinking of buying may need real investment; one you already own and were considering selling may be cheaper to upgrade than to sell and pay capital gains tax. Our sell-or-hold framework covers this.

Compliance is now a portfolio-wide job

EPC deadlines join a growing list of dated obligations landlords must track: gas and electrical safety, the Renters' Rights Act, landlord database registration and Making Tax Digital. Managing these across several properties on memory or a spreadsheet is where things get missed. See our guide to property compliance software for how landlords are keeping on top of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do rented properties need to reach EPC C?

The government has confirmed that new tenancies will need to meet EPC C from 2028 and all tenancies by 2030, with the updated regulations expected to require compliance from 1 October 2030. The current minimum standard remains EPC E until then.

How much will landlords have to spend on energy improvements?

There is a cost cap of up to £10,000 per property on relevant energy efficiency improvements. If a property still does not meet EPC C after £10,000 has been spent, the landlord can register an exemption valid for ten years and continue to let it.

What if my rental property cannot reach EPC C?

If the property still falls short after the £10,000 cost cap has been spent on relevant improvements, you will be able to register a ten-year exemption and keep letting it. You should keep evidence of the works and register any exemption through the official system.