For landlords · 8 min read
EPC rules for landlords: where the minimum standard is heading
You cannot let or continue to let a property in England and Wales with an EPC below E unless a valid exemption is registered. Government policy is to raise that minimum to C, phased in for new tenancies first and all tenancies later, with a cost cap and an exemptions register. The practical advice is the same either way: get a current EPC with its recommendations report, do the cheap fabric and lighting measures now, and price the expensive measures into your longer-term plan rather than waiting for a deadline that will be crowded and expensive.
Frequently asked questions
What EPC rating do I need to rent out a property?
In England and Wales you currently need at least an E to let a property, unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Government policy is to raise that minimum to C, phased in for new tenancies before existing ones.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for ten years. You can commission a new one sooner, and it is usually worth doing after improvement work so the certificate reflects the current rating rather than the old one.
What happens if I let a property below the minimum EPC rating?
The local authority can issue a financial penalty and publish the breach. Penalties increase the longer the property has been let in breach, and they apply per property rather than per portfolio.
Does an EPC improvement pay for itself?
The cheap measures usually do, through shorter voids and lower turnover as well as compliance. Solid wall insulation and full window replacement often do not pay back on rent alone, which is why they are the measures most likely to justify an exemption or a longer-term plan.