Your EPC
Under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 you need a valid EPC when you market or let a home, and you must give your tenant a copy. A domestic EPC lasts 10 years from the date it was lodged.
You can look up any certificate on GOV.UK's Find an energy certificate service.
The minimum standard today
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 mean you can't let a home with an EPC rating of F or G, or continue to let it, unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Bands A to E all pass.
If you can't reach band E for £3,500 including VAT, make every improvement you can within that amount and register an 'all improvements made' exemption.
The band C plan for 2030
In January 2026 the government confirmed it plans to require band C, or its equivalent under new EPCs, for all private rented homes from 1 October 2030. It needs new legislation first, and aims for the regulations to be in force during 2027. Until then, band E is the legal minimum.
| Now | Planned from 1 October 2030 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum rating | Band E | Band C or equivalent |
| Most you must spend | £3,500 including VAT | £10,000 per property |
| Homes worth under £100,000 | £3,500 | 10% of the property's value |
| Exemption if the cap is reached | 5 years | 10 years |
| Maximum council fine | £5,000 per property | £30,000 per property per breach |
A current EPC rated C or above that was lodged before 1 October 2029 will count as meeting the new standard until it expires. Qualifying work done from 1 October 2025 counts towards the £10,000 cap.
Penalties
Today councils can fine up to £2,000 for letting a non-compliant property for under three months, up to £4,000 for three months or more, and up to £2,000 for not complying with a compliance notice, with a total of £5,000 per property. They can also publish the breach on a public register.
What changed in 2026
The government's response to its consultation set the band C date, the £10,000 cap and the higher fines. None of it is law yet. The written statement of terms you give new tenants from 1 May 2026 does not change your EPC duties.
How LetRecord helps
LetRecord reads the EPC register when you add a property, shows the band and expiry date with the register as the source, reminds you before it expires, and flags a band F or G rating so you can record the exemption. It also shows which properties are rated D or below, so you can plan work before 2030.
Common questions
Do I need a new EPC when the old one expires during a tenancy?
Not straight away. You need a valid EPC before you next market or let the property, so renew it before then.
My property is band D. Do I need to do anything now?
Not legally. Band D meets today's minimum. Under the band C plan you would need to improve it by 1 October 2030, spending up to £10,000, so it is worth getting quotes early.
Will my current band C certificate still count after 2030?
Yes, if it was lodged before 1 October 2029 it counts until it expires. After that you would need a new-style EPC that meets the standard.
Do listed buildings need an EPC?
Sometimes not. A listed building can be exempt where the improvements needed would unacceptably alter its character. Get advice before relying on this, because the exemption is narrow.
Official sources
This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not legal advice.
Free PRS registration checklist
Not ready to sign up? Get the step-by-step checklist for registering on the private rented sector database, with the dates for every region.