Give the EPC to prospective tenants and the tenant

A building or building unit is to be rented out and an EPC is required (see epc-before-marketing).

Make a valid EPC available free of charge to any prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity, and no later than when you first give them written information about the property or when they view it, whichever is earlier. Ensure a valid EPC has been given free of charge to the person who ultimately becomes the tenant. Valid means registered within the last 10 years with no newer EPC registered.

Deadline

0 days before the start of the tenancy

To prospective tenants by the first written information or viewing; to the tenant before the tenancy is entered into.

• Acknowledgement that the tenant received the EPC
• Copy of the EPC given

Civil penalty

Up to £200

Other consequences

Penalty charge notice of £200 per breach for a dwelling, issued by trading standards.

• SI 2012/3118, reg 6(2) and 6(5)legislation.gov.uk
• SI 2012/3118, reg 9(2) (validity)legislation.gov.uk
• SI 2012/3118, reg 38legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

An EPC does not need renewing during a tenancy just because it passes 10 years; a valid one is needed when the property is next marketed or let. MEES compliance is judged against the EPC that is legally required.

• Commission an EPC before marketing a property to letIn force since 9 January 2013Fine up to £200

  Before a property is advertised to let you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate or have commissioned one, and state the energy rating in adverts.

• Minimum energy efficiency standard: EPC band E or a registered exemptionIn force since 1 April 2018Fine up to £5,000

  You must not let, or continue to let, a home rated F or G on its EPC unless you have registered a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register.

• Higher minimum energy efficiency standard: EPC C by 1 October 2030Not yet in force: confirmed from 1 October 2030Fine up to £30,000

  The government has confirmed that all privately rented homes in scope must reach EPC C, measured on new EPC metrics, by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap. The regulations to implement this have not yet been laid.

• Give the tenant a valid EPC (cross-reference)In force

  Make a valid Energy Performance Certificate available free to prospective tenants and make sure the person who becomes the tenant has been given it.