2 August 2026
The government has confirmed it is raising the minimum EPC rating for privately rented homes in England and Wales from E to C. The deadline is 1 October 2030 and it applies to all tenancies, not just new ones. Fines for non-compliance are jumping from a maximum of £5,000 to up to £30,000 per property.
This is not yet law, but the government published its formal consultation response in January 2026 and legislation is expected to pass in 2027. The details are locked in. Landlords should be planning for this now.
Read the full government consultation on GOV.UK →
Right now, the minimum EPC rating for rental properties is E. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let without a registered exemption. That has been the case since April 2020.
From 1 October 2030, the minimum rises to EPC C. That means any rental property rated D, E, F or G will need to be improved or have a valid exemption registered. This applies to every private tenancy in England and Wales, whether the tenancy started last week or ten years ago.
| Current minimum | EPC E |
| New minimum from Oct 2030 | EPC C |
| Spending cap per property | £10,000 |
| Cap for properties under £100k | 10% of property value |
| Maximum fine | Up to £30,000 |
| Applies to | All tenancies |
This is the question I'm getting asked most. The answer depends on your current rating.
If your property already scores C or above and you get your EPC done before 1 October 2029, your certificate is "grandparented" and remains valid until it expires. So a C-rated EPC obtained in 2026 would protect you until 2036.
If your property scores D or E, a valid 10-year EPC does not protect you past October 2030. The deadline overrides it. You will need to either improve the property to reach C, or spend up to the £10,000 cap and register an exemption if you still cannot reach C.
The government has set the cap at £10,000 per property. This is lower than the originally proposed £15,000. Any spending on energy improvements since 1 October 2025 counts towards it, including government grants (except the Boiler Upgrade Scheme).
For properties valued under £100,000, the cap is 10% of the property value instead.
If you spend up to the cap and still cannot reach C, you can register a 10-year exemption and continue letting the property legally. But you need the EPC assessment and evidence of spending to do this.
All exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. You cannot simply decide not to comply.
The deadline is four years away, which sounds like plenty of time. But there are good reasons to act now rather than later:
The government estimates the average landlord spend will be between £5,400 and £6,800 per property. That is well within the £10,000 cap. For many properties, a combination of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, LED lighting and a boiler upgrade is enough to move from D or E to C.
The government is also redesigning EPCs from October 2026. The single energy efficiency rating (the A-to-G scale you know) will be replaced with four metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system, and smart readiness. The rating scale itself stays, but the way it is calculated is changing.
EPCs obtained before the new format launches remain valid for their full 10-year period. You do not need to rush out and get a new one before October 2026, but it is worth being aware that the format is changing.
I have been doing EPC assessments across Greater Manchester for over 11 years. I work with landlords managing everything from a single buy-to-let to portfolios of 20+ properties. I can tell you where your property stands, what improvements would make the biggest difference, and whether you are likely to need an exemption.
If you are not sure where to start, give me a call. Honest advice, no pressure.
Find out where your property stands now. Book your EPC or call me for advice.
