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If you’re letting a property, you need a valid EPC that shows how energy efficient your property is. Without meeting these standards, you can’t legally rent out your property and might face fines up to £5,000.
Starting 2025, UK landlords face strict new EPC rules. Your rental property must reach a minimum C rating for new tenancies – a big step up from today’s E rating requirement. By 2028, this C rating becomes mandatory for all rental properties.
Most UK rentals currently sit at D or E ratings. This guide shows you what an EPC is, what these ratings mean, and most importantly, how to improve your rating to meet future requirements.
In a nutshell, here’s what you need to know:
- By 2028, all rental properties must meet the C rating
- From 2025, new tenancies will need a C rating minimum
- Currently, property must have at least an E rating
- You need a valid EPC before marketing and renting your property
- You must give tenants a copy of the EPC
- Fines for non-compliance can reach £5,000
An EPC gives you a clear picture of your property’s energy efficiency with a simple A to G rating. The best properties earn an A rating, showing they’re cheap to heat and great for the environment. Properties with a G rating need serious improvements.
You can’t rent out your property without an EPC – it’s that simple. The law requires you to show this certificate to potential tenants before they sign a lease. Plus, your property must meet at least an E rating to be legally rentable.
Here’s good news: Once you get an EPC, it’s valid for 10 years. You’ll only need a fresh one when the current certificate expires and you’re signing up new tenants or putting your property on the market.
A qualified Energy Assessor will visit your property to check every aspect that affects energy use. They’ll take a close look at the following:
- Windows and doors
- Walls and insulation
- Heating systems and boilers
- Lighting fixtures
- Building measurements
- Construction year
All these details help create an accurate picture of your property’s energy performance. The assessment gives you two key tools.
First, you’ll get that all-important A-G rating. What does each EPC rating mean?
- An A rating scores between 92-100, making it the most energy efficient level possible. These properties come with very low energy bills, but they’re quite rare in the UK. Less than 1% of homes reach this standard, and you’ll typically find A ratings in new, high-tech homes with solar panels or other renewable energy sources.
- Properties with a B rating score between 81-91 and are very energy efficient with low running costs. You’ll often see this rating in modern homes built to high standards, featuring good insulation and efficient heating systems.
- A C rating ranges from 69-80 points and shows above-average efficiency with reasonable energy costs. This is the rating landlords need to aim for by 2025, and most new builds achieve at least this standard.
- D-rated properties score between 55-68, representing average energy efficiency with typical energy bills. This is a common rating for UK homes, and while there’s room for improvement, it’s not considered poor performance.
- Properties with an E rating score between 39-54, showing below-average efficiency and higher than average bills. This is currently the minimum legal standard for rentals, but you’ll need to improve this rating to meet future regulations.
- An F rating falls between 21-38 points, indicating poor energy efficiency and very high energy bills. This rating falls below the legal standard for rentals, and properties will need significant improvements to become compliant.
- The lowest, G rating, scores between 1-20. These properties have the worst energy efficiency and face extremely high energy costs. It’s illegal to rent out G-rated properties, and they require major renovations to become viable rental units.
Looking at these ratings, you can see why the government is pushing for higher standards. Properties rated E or below not only cost tenants more in bills but also contribute more to carbon emissions. What’s your current property rating? If you’re below a C, you’ll want to start planning improvements soon to meet the 2025 requirements.
Second, you’ll receive a detailed report packed with practical ways to make your property more energy efficient.
This report isn’t just helpful for meeting legal requirements – it can save you money in the long run by identifying energy-wasting problems you might not know about.
As a landlord, one of your legal responsibilities is acquiring (and paying for) EPC. The certificate needs to be available to tenants before they view your property. Not having one ready could land you with a hefty fine – we’re talking up to £5,000.
The minimum acceptable rating is E. If your property falls short, you’ll need to make improvements. The government caps your required spending at £3,500, which includes any available grants or funding. This cap helps protect landlords from excessive costs while still pushing for better energy efficiency.
You’ll also need to hand over a copy of the EPC when your tenants move in. This is a legal requirement that helps your tenants understand their new home’s energy costs and how to use the property efficiently.
The EPC report becomes your roadmap for improvements. It lists specific upgrades that could boost your rating and cut energy bills.
Each suggested improvement comes with estimated costs and potential savings. This helps you make smart decisions about which upgrades to tackle first.
Start with the quick wins like LED bulbs and pipe insulation. These small changes add up. Then look at bigger improvements based on your budget and current rating.
| Improvement | Cost Estimate | Impact |
| Pipe Insulation | £5–£15 | Minimizes heat loss from hot water pipes |
| Hot Water Tank Jacket | £15–£20 | Saves ~£35/year on bills; adds a few EPC points |
| LED Light Bulbs | £2–£5 per bulb | Adds 1–2 points; uses up to 90% less energy |
| Radiator Reflectors | £20–£40 | Improves heating efficiency; saves ~£25/year |
| Draught-Proofing | £100–£500 | Reduces heat loss; improves comfort and energy efficiency |
| Thermal Curtains/Blinds | £30–£100 per set | Retains heat in winter; cuts energy consumption |
| Smart Thermostat | £100–£250 | Optimizes heating; saves 10–20% on energy use |
| Loft Insulation | £400–£700 | Boosts EPC by 10–15 points; saves ~£150/year |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | £800–£1,500 | Adds 5–10 points; reduces heat loss significantly |
| Double Glazing Windows | £3,000–£5,000 | Improves EPC by 5–10 points; saves ~£100/year |
| A-Rated Boiler Upgrade | £2,000–£3,500 | Boosts EPC by up to 40 points; cuts energy waste |
| Solar Panels | £5,000–£8,000 | Adds 10–20 points; reduces electricity costs long-term |
Making energy improvements doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s look at your options, from quick fixes to major upgrades.
- Pipe insulation keeps your hot water hotter for longer. This small investment of £5-£15 pays for itself quickly by cutting heat waste in your water system. Add a hot water tank jacket for another easy win – keeping heat in and saving your tenants about £35 each year on bills.
- LED light bulbs make a real difference. At just £2-£5 per bulb, they use 90% less energy than old-style bulbs and last much longer. Switch all your lights to LEDs and you’ll see your EPC rating bump up by 1-2 points.
- Radiator reflectors really work more than you might think. These affordable panels fit behind your radiators and bounce heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls. For £20-£40, you’ll boost heating efficiency and save around £25 yearly on heating costs.
- Tackle those pesky drafts next. Proper draft-proofing (£100-£500) seals gaps around windows, doors, and floorboards. Your tenants will feel the difference immediately, and your heating system won’t have to work as hard.
- Thermal curtains and blinds offer another smart solution. For £30-£100 per window, they trap heat inside during winter and help keep rooms cool in summer. They work especially well with double glazing.
- A smart thermostat brings your heating system into the 21st century. For £100-£250, you’ll get precise temperature control and the ability to heat different zones at different times. This clever tech typically cuts energy use by 10-20%.
- Loft insulationn gives you serious bang for your buck. Spending £400-£700 adds a thick insulation layer to your property that stops heat from escaping through the roof. You’ll see your EPC rating jump by 10-15 points, and your tenants will save around £150 each year.
- Cavity wall insulation fills the gaps in your walls with material that stops heat loss. The £800-£1,500 price tag might seem steep, but it adds 5-10 points to your EPC rating and makes a big difference to heating bills.
- Double glazing represents a bigger investment at £3,000-£5,000, but it transforms how your property handles heat. You’ll gain 5-10 EPC points, cut outside noise, and save about £100 yearly on heating.
- An A-rated boiler upgrade makes the most dramatic difference to your EPC rating – up to 40 points. Modern boilers waste far less energy than older models, and while £2,000-£3,500 isn’t cheap, the efficiency gains are substantial.
- Solar panels offer the ultimate green upgrade. They cost £5,000-£8,000 but add 10-20 points to your EPC rating and provide free electricity during daylight hours. They also increase your property value and attract eco-conscious tenants.
Consider tackling these improvements in stages. Start with the smaller, cost-effective changes while you plan for bigger upgrades. Many of these improvements work better together – for example, installing a new boiler makes more sense after you’ve improved your insulation.
What’s your budget for improvements? Knowing this helps prioritize which changes to make first.
Smart Strategy Tips
Pick the right order for improvements. Start with insulation before upgrading your heating system. Why? A well-insulated house needs a smaller, cheaper heating system.
- Look for grants first. Your local council might offer help with insulation costs. Energy companies run schemes too – check what’s available before paying full price.
- Get multiple quotes. Prices vary widely between contractors. Three quotes minimum helps you spot overcharging and find reliable workers.
- Schedule improvements smartly. Between tenancies works best – you’ll minimise disruption and can often complete several upgrades at once.
- Keep all receipts for improvements you make. If you spend the full £3,500 and still don’t reach an E rating, you can apply for an exemption. Without proof of your spending, you might have to keep making improvements beyond the cap.
Some properties get a pass on EPC requirements. You might be exempt if your property is:
- Listed or protected, where energy improvements would change its character
- Temporary, meant for use less than two years
- Small, with less than 50 square metres of floor space
But don’t assume your property is exempt without checking. The rules around exemptions can be complex, and getting it wrong could be costly.
Moving forward with your EPC doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these steps to get started:
- Check your current EPC status on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register
- Schedule the assessment with a certified assessor
- Review the recommendations
- Plan your improvements
- Give your tenants their copy, along with other required documents like the How to Rent guide and safety certificates
The EPC process might seem like extra paperwork, but it serves a real purpose. It helps create better rental properties, reduces energy waste, and gives tenants clear information about their future home.
Ready to schedule your EPC assessment? Book our EPC certification services today or contact us for any landlord certification needs. Our experienced team will help you understand your property’s energy performance and identify opportunities for improvement that benefit both you and your tenants.
Don’t risk non-compliance or miss out on potential returns – get your property assessed and certified today.