Do landlords need an EPC?

By Dogra Estates · Published June 2025

The short answer

Yes. In England, a landlord letting a residential property needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) available before the property is marketed, and generally cannot let a property with an EPC rating below E without a valid exemption. The certificate itself is valid for ten years from the date it is lodged, unless regulations change in the meantime.

What an EPC is

An EPC is a standardised assessment of a property's energy efficiency. It is produced by an accredited assessor using the government's SAP methodology — a survey of construction, insulation, glazing, heating, hot water and lighting — and results in a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least). The certificate is lodged on the national EPC register and is publicly accessible.

When you need one

You need a valid EPC before you begin marketing a property to let (or to sell). A copy must be provided to the tenant at the start of the tenancy — usually alongside the tenancy agreement, gas safety certificate and the How to Rent guide. If you renew a tenancy with a new tenant, the EPC still needs to be within its 10-year validity. If it has expired, you need a new one before marketing.

The minimum rating

Under the current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), rented residential properties in England must generally have an EPC rating of E or above. Letting below that requires a valid exemption registered on the national exemptions register. The government has consulted on raising the minimum to C for new tenancies, but at the time of writing the confirmed requirement is E. Because policy is evolving, we would recommend checking the current position on the government's own guidance pages if you are near the threshold.

Exemptions

Several exemptions exist and must be registered before they take effect. These include the "all improvements made" exemption (where all relevant improvements have been carried out but the property still cannot reach E), the "high cost" cap, the third-party consent exemption, and the wall insulation exemption. Exemptions are typically time-limited (commonly five years) and must be re-registered when they expire.

Penalties

The local authority can serve a compliance notice and, where a landlord is found to be in breach, impose financial penalties. In addition, letting a non-compliant property carries reputational and practical risks — including complications if you later want to sell or refinance. It is significantly cheaper to book an EPC than to be caught without one.

How to improve a poor rating

If your property is close to failing the minimum standard, the most cost-effective changes are usually straightforward: full low-energy lighting throughout, adequate loft insulation (typically 270mm), improved heating controls, a modern condensing boiler if the current one is older, and cylinder or pipework insulation where relevant. Solid wall and floor insulation deliver bigger jumps but at meaningfully higher cost. A good assessor will flag improvements that would move the rating.

Booking an EPC

We are accredited EPC assessors and cover Hounslow, Southall, Isleworth and the wider TW postcodes for both domestic and commercial certificates. See EPC certificates in Hounslow, EPCs in Southall, EPCs in Isleworth, or the main EPCs and floor plans page for details.

A single visit can often cover the EPC, a professional floor plan and marketing photography — useful if you are preparing the property to let or sell at the same time.