Higher minimum energy efficiency standard: EPC C by 1 October 2030

Domestic private rented property in England and Wales within the PRS regulations (assured, regulated and domestic agricultural tenancies requiring an EPC). Short-term lets are not included at this time. There is no earlier date for new tenancies.

By 1 October 2030 meet a dual-metric standard on the reformed EPC: first a primary fabric performance standard, then, at the landlord's choice, either a heating system standard or a smart readiness standard, unless a valid exemption is registered. Spend up to £10,000 per property (or 10% of property value if lower, under a new property value adjustment exemption). Spending on relevant measures from 1 October 2025 counts towards the cap; third-party funding counts except Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants. A property graded C or above on the current Energy Efficiency Rating on an EPC lodged before 1 October 2029 is treated as compliant until that EPC expires or is replaced. A landlord whose property did not reach EER C before 1 October 2029 must commission a new EPC before improvement works and another afterwards (both count towards the cap). If the standard is not met after spending the cap, a cost cap exemption valid for 10 years can be registered. Planned exemptions: high cost, all relevant improvements made, cost cap, property value adjustment, solid wall insulation, negative impacts, third-party consent, and a 6-month new landlord exemption.

Deadline

By 1 October 2030

Single compliance date for all tenancies. EPC E rules apply until then.

• EPC lodged before 1 October 2029 showing EER C or better, or a reformed EPC meeting the fabric and heating or smart readiness standards
• Invoices for energy efficiency measures from 1 October 2025
• PRS Exemptions Register entry where relevant

Civil penalty

Up to £30,000, once this rule is in force

Other consequences

Government has decided local authorities will be able to fine up to £30,000 per property per breach, including for false or misleading exemption information. This needs new primary powers and is not yet law.

• Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962), the regulations to be amendedlegislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Regulations laid: NO (checked 2026-10-14). The government response says it will seek new powers by Act of Parliament, then lay a statutory instrument aiming for it to come into force in 2027, with compliance from 1 October 2030; all changes are subject to Parliamentary approval. No amending or draft SI to SI 2015/962 appears on legislation.gov.uk for 2024-2026, and no government bill carrying these powers was found on the Parliament bills service. Medium confidence because the details (metrics, exemptions, fine level) are policy decisions that could change during legislation. The Warm Homes Plan states improvements made from October 2025 count towards the 2030 cost cap.

• 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.

• Give the EPC to prospective tenants and the tenantIn force since 9 January 2013Fine up to £200

  Show a valid EPC free of charge to anyone interested in renting at the earliest opportunity, and make sure the person who becomes the tenant has been given a copy.

• 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.

• 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.