EPC Requirements for UK Landlords
An Energy Performance Certificate is required for all rental properties in England and Wales. There are minimum rating requirements, and the EPC must be provided to tenants at the start of each tenancy.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates your property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also includes recommendations for improving the property's energy performance.
EPCs were introduced by the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012 and must be commissioned before you market a property for rent or sale. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Minimum EPC rating requirement
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), rental properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of at least E. You cannot grant a new tenancy or renew an existing one if the property has an F or G rating.
There are limited exemptions available, such as properties where all cost-effective improvements have been made but the rating is still below E, listed buildings where improvements would unacceptably alter their character, and properties where a tenant has refused consent to improvements. Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and are valid for 5 years.
Future changes
The government has proposed raising the minimum EPC requirement to C for new tenancies. While the timeline has been pushed back, landlords should consider making energy improvements now to avoid future costs and restrictions.
When must you provide the EPC?
You must provide a copy of the EPC to prospective tenants free of charge at the earliest opportunity. In practice, this means the EPC rating should be included in property listings, a copy must be available before the tenancy agreement is signed, and the tenant should have received a copy by the time they move in.
Penalties for non-compliance
There are different penalties depending on the type of breach. Having no valid EPC when required can result in a fine of up to £5,000. Renting with an F or G rating can also attract a fine of up to £5,000 (capped at 12 months rent).
Legal implications
You must provide your tenant with a copy of the current EPC before they move in. Failure to do so weakens your legal position in any dispute and can result in fines.
How to get an EPC
EPCs must be produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. You can find an assessor through the government's EPC register or through property service companies. The assessment typically takes 30-60 minutes and costs between £60-120.
To find an assessor or check your property's existing EPC, visit the EPC register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.
How to prove your tenant received it
As with other required documents, you should keep evidence that you provided the EPC to your tenant. This might be a signed acknowledgement clause in the tenancy agreement, a document tracking system that logs when the EPC was accessed, or email confirmation with read receipt.
How HouseFile helps
Upload your EPC to HouseFile and share it with tenants alongside your other required documents. The platform automatically logs when your tenant first viewed the EPC, tenant acknowledgement of receipt, and keeps all documents organized by property and tenancy.