Certified by the following organisations
Lines Open (Monday - Friday)
9:00AM - 5:30PM
9:00AM - 5:30PM
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement before you can market a domestic property for rent or sale in England and Wales. This guide covers the rules that apply specifically to landlords: when an EPC is needed, what the survey involves, how long the certificate lasts, and how Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) affect your letting obligations.
For the full detail on MEES rules, the confirmed EPC C by 2030 change, penalties, exemptions and what to do now, see our dedicated Landlord MEES Guide. For the broader reform picture, see EPC changes explained.
You must have a valid EPC in place before you market a property for rent. The certificate must be:
The obligation applies to virtually all domestic rental properties. If you are also selling a property, the same EPC requirement applies before marketing for sale.
EPC legislation first came into force in 2007. A certified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) must carry out the survey, and the assessor must be accredited by a government-approved scheme (such as Elmhurst Energy). The EPC is then lodged on the official government register.
A domestic EPC is valid for 10 years. During that period it can be used for multiple tenancies without needing a new assessment, provided the certificate is still in date and the property has not changed significantly. If you commission an improvement (such as new insulation or a boiler upgrade), you may wish to commission a fresh EPC to reflect the improved rating.
You can check whether your property already has a current EPC on the government EPC register.
Most domestic properties require an EPC. The principal exemptions from the requirement to obtain an EPC for sale or rental are:
Note that listed buildings for rental are in a different position: they must either hold an EPC rated E or above, or be registered on the MEES Exemptions Register. See the Landlord MEES Guide for full detail on exemptions from the minimum rating rules.
By law a domestic EPC must be carried out by a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) accredited by a government-approved scheme. The survey typically takes 20 to 45 minutes for a standard three-bedroom house. During the visit the assessor will:
The survey is non-invasive: no floorboards are lifted and no holes are drilled. If insulation is not visible and you have documentary evidence of it (such as an installer invoice), provide this on the day, as it can improve the rating. Without evidence or visibility, the EPC software will estimate based on the property's construction date.
Commercial EPC surveys require an assessor with a Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) qualification, accredited by a government-approved scheme. The assessment is more detailed than a domestic survey: the assessor collects data on the fabric, heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and lighting, and this data is then used to build a 3D model of the building in specialist SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) software. Survey duration depends on the size and complexity of the building.
After the survey, the assessor runs the collected data through government-approved software to calculate the energy efficiency rating (A to G) and a recommended improvement list. For domestic properties this uses the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) methodology. The EPC is then lodged on the government register.
To see a domestic EPC explained section by section, click here.
Since April 2020, every domestic rental property in England and Wales must have a valid EPC rated E or above. This is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) rule, and it covers all tenancies, not just those that started after 2020. The cost cap for compliance work is currently £3,500 per property, and the penalty for non-compliance is up to £5,000 per property.
On 21 January 2026, as part of the Warm Homes Plan, the government confirmed the minimum will rise to EPC C by 1 October 2030. The new cost cap will be £10,000 per property and the maximum penalty will rise to £30,000. This is confirmed government policy, with legislation expected by 2027, but it is not yet law.
For full detail on MEES rules, exemptions, the 2030 timetable and how to prepare, see our dedicated Landlord MEES Guide.
Domestic Landlord You must hold a valid EPC for every property you let, and the EPC must show a rating of at least E. The penalty for letting without a valid EPC is £200. The penalty for breaching the minimum E standard is up to £5,000 per property. Plan now for the confirmed move to a minimum C by 1 October 2030 and avoid penalties that will rise to up to £30,000.
If your property is rated F or G, the EPC will include recommended improvements. See our Landlord MEES Guide for practical advice on improvement routes, exemptions and the 2030 deadline.
Property Sellers Before marketing a property for sale you must have a valid EPC, which must be included in all marketing materials and provided to prospective buyers. There is no minimum rating required to complete a sale, though some lenders are cautious about F- and G-rated properties.
Property Developers New-build and converted domestic properties need a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) EPC before sale or rental, and this also demonstrates compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. New commercial properties require an SBEM (BRUKL) EPC for the same purpose. To find out more, see our SAP EPC page and BRUKL EPC page.
More landlord resources and information.
Last reviewed: June 2026