EPC Requirements for Landlords | Coopers Inventory Services

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information about the energy performance of a property and recommendations that could improve its energy efficiency.

For landlords, EPCs aren't simply useful information. In many circumstances, having an appropriate EPC is a legal requirement when renting out a property, and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) can determine whether a property can legally continue to be let.

With significant changes to EPCs and rental energy-efficiency standards underway, landlords and property managers should also understand what is changing between now and 2030.

An EPC assesses the energy performance of a building.

Under the existing domestic EPC system, properties receive an energy-efficiency rating from:

A — most efficient

through to

G — least efficient

The certificate provides information about the property's energy performance and recommendations for potential improvements.

Domestic EPCs currently generally have a 10-year validity period.

However, the EPC system itself is being reformed, with the government planning the introduction of new-style domestic EPCs containing additional measures of energy performance.

An EPC is generally required when a property is:

For landlords, this means an EPC will normally need to be obtained and made available when marketing a property for rent.

Landlords should check that an appropriate EPC exists for the property and ensure they understand the separate Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards applying to privately rented homes.

Currently: EPC E

As of August 2026, privately rented domestic properties in England and Wales that fall within the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards generally need either:

an EPC rating of E or above

or

a valid registered exemption.

The existing EPC E minimum continues to apply until landlords become subject to the future higher standard.

And this is where I'd add a prominent highlighted section because there is a major change coming.

The government has confirmed plans to increase energy-efficiency requirements for privately rented homes in England and Wales.

From 1 October 2030

All private tenancies within scope will need to meet the new higher standard, unless an applicable exemption or transitional provision applies.

Under the confirmed policy, compliance will use the reformed EPC system. Properties will need to achieve the equivalent of C against the fabric-performance metric and C against either the heating-system or smart-readiness metric.

This is important because you'll still see plenty of landlord content online saying:

“EPC C for new tenancies from 2028.”

That was proposed — but it is not the final policy.

The government ultimately decided on one compliance date: 1 October 2030 for all tenancies within scope.

There is a transitional arrangement designed to recognise landlords who achieve a good rating under the existing EPC system before the new requirements take effect.

Private rented homes with an existing-style EPC showing EER C or above before 1 October 2029 can be treated as compliant with the future higher standard until that EPC expires or is replaced.

Properties that haven't achieved that position will need to meet the requirements under the reformed EPC metrics by 1 October 2030, unless a valid exemption applies.

The government is reforming domestic EPCs so they provide a broader picture of a home's energy performance rather than relying principally on the familiar single headline rating.

The planned new system includes four headline metrics:

The government had previously been working towards introducing the new EPC system in 2026, but in March 2026 announced that the launch was being moved to the second half of 2027, subject to the necessary implementation work and approvals.

An EPC assessment must be completed by an appropriately accredited energy assessor.

The assessor visits the property and gathers information relevant to its energy performance.

Depending upon the property, this can include factors such as:

The resulting EPC provides the property's rating together with recommendations for potential improvements.

Landlords can search the government's official EPC service to find an accredited assessor and look up existing certificates.

Find an Energy Certificate or Accredited Assessor — GOV.UK

An EPC can also help landlords identify areas where energy performance could potentially be improved.

Recommendations will depend on the individual property and might relate to measures such as:

Landlords shouldn't assume every recommendation is automatically required.

However, with the higher PRS energy-efficiency standard approaching in 2030, landlords with lower-performing properties may want to understand what improvements are likely to be required well before the deadline.

The government has confirmed a maximum investment requirement of £10,000 per property over a 10-year period under the future standard, subject to the detailed rules and exemptions.

Yes. The EPC and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regimes contain exemptions and exceptions, but landlords shouldn't simply assume a property is exempt.

Where a property is within the PRS regulations but cannot meet the required minimum standard in circumstances covered by an exemption, that exemption generally needs to be properly registered.

The government's PRS exemptions service records applicable exemptions and penalties.

Whether an EPC is required can depend upon the circumstances, and landlords of listed or protected buildings should check the current rules applying to the individual property rather than assuming automatic exemption.

Energy Performance Certificates and property inventory reports serve different purposes, but both form part of maintaining clear and professional records for a rental property.

Coopers Inventory Services provides detailed written and photographic reporting at key stages throughout a tenancy, from the Inventory & Schedule of Condition and Check-In through to Mid-Term Inspections and Check-Out Reports.

Where energy-efficiency improvements or alterations have been made to a property, an up-to-date inventory can provide a clear record of the property's visible condition, fixtures and features at the beginning of the tenancy.

Coopers does not carry out EPC assessments or certify energy efficiency. EPC assessments must be completed by an appropriately accredited energy assessor.