22 April 2026

Landlord EPC Rules - What You Need to Know in 2026

If you're a landlord in England or Wales, you need a valid EPC for every rental property. And since April 2020, that EPC needs to show a minimum rating of E. Here's what the rules mean in practice.

The Minimum E Rating

Since April 2020, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require all rental properties to have an EPC rating of E or above. This applies to new tenancies and existing ones. If your property scores F or G, you cannot legally let it without a valid exemption.

This catches some landlords out, especially if they've had the same tenants in place for years and haven't needed a new EPC. The rules apply regardless of when the tenancy started.

What Happens If My Property Scores Below E?

You'll need to make improvements to bring it up to at least an E rating, or register an exemption. Common improvements that push a property from F to E include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and boiler upgrades. These are often the most cost-effective changes you can make.

I can advise on the most practical route during the assessment. Every property is different, and sometimes a single improvement is all it takes to move from an F to an E. If you want to go further, I've written a separate guide on how to improve your EPC rating.

Exemptions

You can register an exemption if all relevant improvements have been made and the property still can't reach E, or if improvements would cost more than £3,500 (inc. VAT). Exemptions last 5 years and must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.

It's worth noting that you can't just decide not to make improvements and claim an exemption. You need to demonstrate that you've either made all cost-effective improvements or that the cost would exceed the £3,500 cap.

How Often Do Landlords Need an EPC?

EPCs are valid for 10 years. But if you make improvements, it's worth getting a new one to reflect the better rating. A higher rating can make your property more attractive to tenants and could support a higher rental value.

I track expiry dates for all my landlord clients and send reminders before renewals are due. No chasing, no last-minute panics. You can read more about how that works on my landlord services page.

Managing Multiple Properties

If you have several rental properties, I offer portfolio management. One point of contact, priority booking, and I handle the scheduling so nothing expires. Whether you have two properties or twenty, it's all managed from one place.

A lot of my landlord clients started with a single EPC and now have me managing their entire portfolio. It just makes life easier when you don't have to think about it.