EPC Requirements for Landlords 2026: Minimum Ratings & Changes
EPC requirements for rental properties in 2026. Current minimum E rating, proposed C rating changes, exemptions, and how to improve your property's energy efficiency.
The Latch Team
Editorial
Every rental property in England and Wales must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum rating of E before it can be let to tenants. The EPC rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years.
In 2026, EPC compliance remains a critical obligation for landlords, with fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance. The government has also signalled its intention to raise the minimum rating to C in the coming years, making energy efficiency improvements an increasingly urgent priority.
This guide explains the current EPC requirements, how to get a certificate, what the ratings mean, how to improve your property's score, available exemptions, and how Latch helps you track EPC validity across your portfolio.
What Is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a standardised document that rates the energy efficiency of a building. It shows how much energy the property uses, how much energy it could save with improvements, and estimates the annual energy costs for a typical household.
The certificate includes two key ratings:
- Energy Efficiency Rating: A score from 1-100 (higher is better), displayed as a band from A to G
- Environmental Impact Rating: A score from 1-100 reflecting the property's carbon dioxide emissions
The EPC also includes a recommendations report listing improvements that could increase the property's energy efficiency rating, along with estimated costs and potential savings.
Current Legal Requirements for Landlords
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations, which came into force on 1 April 2018 for new tenancies and 1 April 2020 for existing tenancies:
- All privately rented properties in England and Wales must have a valid EPC
- The property must have a minimum EPC rating of E
- You cannot let a property with an F or G rating unless you have a valid exemption registered on the PRS Exemptions Register
- The EPC must be available to prospective tenants before they view the property
- A copy must be provided to the tenant at the start of the tenancy
Penalty: Landlords who let a property in breach of MEES regulations face fines of up to £5,000, comprising up to £2,000 for a breach of less than 3 months and up to £4,000 for a breach of 3 months or more, subject to a maximum total of £5,000 per property.
Try our free EPC Compliance Checker to check whether your rental property meets the minimum E rating requirement and see how upcoming changes to a C minimum would affect your portfolio.
What Does an EPC Show?
An EPC contains detailed information about the property's energy performance:
| EPC Band | SAP Score | Typical Property |
|---|---|---|
| A | 92-100 | Highly efficient new-build with renewables |
| B | 81-91 | Well-insulated modern property with efficient heating |
| C | 69-80 | Modern property with good insulation and efficient boiler |
| D | 55-68 | Average UK property with some insulation |
| E | 39-54 | Older property with basic insulation (current minimum for rental) |
| F | 21-38 | Poorly insulated property with inefficient heating (cannot be let without exemption) |
| G | 1-20 | Very poor energy performance (cannot be let without exemption) |
The average EPC rating for rental properties in England is currently band D. Meeting the minimum E rating means your property is not among the least energy-efficient 10% of homes.
How to Get an EPC
An EPC must be produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The process is straightforward:
- Find an assessor: Search for accredited DEAs on the official EPC Register website or through accreditation schemes such as Elmhurst Energy, Stroma, or Quidos
- Book the assessment: The assessor will visit the property to inspect insulation, heating systems, windows, lighting, and other energy-related features
- Assessment visit: Typically takes 45-90 minutes depending on the property size. The assessor measures rooms, checks insulation, identifies heating systems, and photographs key features
- Receive the EPC: The assessor uploads the data to the EPC Register. The certificate is usually available within 24-48 hours
- Costs: A standard EPC assessment costs between £60 and £120, depending on property size and location
Improving Your EPC Rating
If your property has a low EPC rating, there are several improvements you can make to increase the score. The EPC recommendations report will list the most effective improvements for your specific property:
| Improvement | Typical Cost | Potential Rating Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (270mm) | £300 - £600 | +5 to +15 points |
| Cavity wall insulation | £500 - £1,500 | +10 to +20 points |
| Draught-proofing | £100 - £300 | +2 to +5 points |
| LED lighting throughout | £50 - £200 | +2 to +5 points |
| Condensing boiler replacement | £2,500 - £4,000 | +10 to +20 points |
| Double glazing | £3,000 - £8,000 | +5 to +15 points |
| Smart heating controls | £200 - £500 | +2 to +5 points |
| Solar panels | £5,000 - £8,000 | +10 to +20 points |
Best value improvements: Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and LED lighting typically offer the best return on investment. These low-cost improvements can increase your rating by 10-20 points.
EPC Exemptions
If you cannot achieve an E rating despite making all cost-effective improvements, you may be eligible for an exemption. Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and are valid for 5 years.
- All improvements made exemption: You have made all relevant improvements up to the £3,500 cap (including VAT) and the property still does not reach an E rating
- Wall insulation exemption: A recommended wall insulation measure would negatively impact the property's structure or appearance
- Consent exemption: A required improvement needs consent from a third party (e.g., freeholder, planning authority) and consent has been refused or conditional
- Devaluation exemption: An independent surveyor has assessed that the recommended improvement would reduce the property's market value by more than 5%
- New landlord exemption: Temporary 6-month exemption for new landlords who have recently acquired a property with an existing tenancy
Exemptions must be registered: Simply qualifying for an exemption is not enough. You must register it on the PRS Exemptions Register at the time you claim it. An unregistered exemption offers no legal protection.
Proposed Changes: Minimum C Rating
The government has indicated its intention to raise the minimum EPC rating for rental properties from E to C. While the exact timeline remains under consultation, landlords should prepare for this change:
- The proposed C rating requirement was originally planned for 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing tenancies, but has been delayed
- A spending cap of £10,000 per property (including VAT) has been proposed for the maximum landlords would need to invest to reach a C rating
- Properties that cannot reach a C rating despite spending the cap would be eligible for an exemption
- The change is expected to affect around 55% of current rental properties which are rated D or below
Regardless of the final implementation date, improving your property's energy efficiency now makes financial sense. Higher-rated properties attract better tenants, command higher rents, and cost less to heat — reducing tenant complaints and void periods.
How Latch Tracks EPC Compliance
Latch helps you stay on top of EPC compliance across your portfolio:
EPC Recording
Store EPC details for every property, including the rating, expiry date, and assessor information.
Centralised records
Expiry Alerts
Receive automatic reminders when EPCs are approaching their 10-year expiry date.
Timely renewals
Rating Overview
See EPC ratings across your entire portfolio at a glance, identifying properties that need improvement.
Portfolio analysis
Improvement Tracking
Record energy efficiency improvements and their costs for tax deduction purposes.
Tax-efficient records
Track EPC Compliance with Latch
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Get Started with LatchDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. EPC requirements are set out in the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (as amended). The proposed increase to a minimum C rating is subject to consultation and may change. Always consult a qualified energy assessor and seek legal advice for your specific circumstances. Last updated February 2026.
