EPC ratings are central to how energy efficiency obligations work for private rented housing in the UK. This guide explains the current legal minimum, the exemptions landlords can apply for, and what tenants should do if they believe their home does not meet the minimum standard.
For the full overview of energy rights for renters, see Renters’ Energy Rights.
The current EPC minimum: E rating
Since April 2020, all privately rented homes in England and Wales (including those with existing tenancies started before 2018) must have an EPC rating of at least E.
The ratings in order from most to least efficient: A, B, C, D, E, F (illegal without exemption), G (illegal without exemption).
Where it applies
- England and Wales: EPC E minimum applies to all privately rented homes
- Scotland: Scottish law has separate minimum standards under the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations
- Northern Ireland: separate legislation; minimum of EPC E for new tenancies from March 2024
The improvement cap
Landlords are only required to spend up to £3,500 (including VAT, after grants) to achieve an E rating. If the property cannot reach an E rating even after spending £3,500, the landlord may register a high cost exemption and continue to let the property legally.
Available grants (ECO4, Great British Insulation Scheme) must be claimed before reaching the £3,500 cap — landlords cannot ignore available grant funding and immediately claim the high cost exemption.
Registered exemptions
Landlords who cannot meet the minimum EPC E standard must register an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register at prsregister.beis.gov.uk. Without a valid registration, the let is unlawful regardless of the reason.
| Exemption type | Reason | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| High cost exemption | Works cost more than £3,500 after grants | 5 years |
| Property devaluation | Surveyor certifies works reduce value by 5%+ | 5 years |
| Consent exemption | Tenant refuses to allow works | 5 years (review if tenant changes) |
| Third party consent | Planning or building regs prevent works | 5 years |
| New landlord exemption | Recently inherited or purchased property | 6 months |
After a registered exemption expires, the landlord must reassess and either carry out improvements or re-register if the exemption still applies.
Penalties for non-compliance
Local authorities enforce the minimum energy efficiency standard. Fines are set by the local authority and depend on the length of the breach:
| Duration of unlawful let | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| 3 months or less | £5,000 |
| More than 3 months | £10,000 |
| Other breach (false or misleading exemption) | £5,000 |
Total fines can be combined for multiple breaches, up to £30,000. The local authority can also publish the name of the landlord (public naming) and the details of the breach.
What happens if you are renting an EPC F or G property?
If your property does not have a valid EPC or the EPC rating is F or G without a registered exemption:
- Check the EPC register — search at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk
- Check the PRS Exemptions Register — search the landlord’s name or property address
- If no exemption: the let may be unlawful — contact your local council’s private rented housing team
- Your rights are not affected — a tenancy is not void simply because the landlord has breached energy standards; you still have full tenancy rights
Local councils can issue a compliance notice to the landlord requiring them to carry out improvements within a set timeframe.
EPC ratings explained
An EPC rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A (most efficient, score 92–100) to G (least efficient, score 1–20). It is produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor and is valid for 10 years.
| Rating | SAP score | Typical annual energy bill |
|---|---|---|
| A | 92–100 | Very low |
| B | 81–91 | Low |
| C | 69–80 | Moderate |
| D | 55–68 | Average |
| E | 39–54 | Above average |
| F | 21–38 | High |
| G | 1–20 | Very high |
A property rated E is significantly less efficient than C or D. Tenants in F or G-rated properties often face substantially higher energy bills than those in well-insulated, well-heated homes.
The proposed EPC C minimum
The previous government proposed raising the minimum from E to C in two stages:
- New tenancies from 2025 → EPC C minimum
- All existing tenancies from 2028 → EPC C minimum
This policy was not enacted. As of May 2026, the Labour government’s Warm Homes Plan focuses on grant-funded upgrades (ECO4, Great British Insulation Scheme, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund) but has not announced a new minimum above E for the private rented sector. This may change — landlords and tenants should monitor gov.uk for updates.
How to get improvements made in your rented home
If your home has a low EPC rating and your landlord is unwilling to fund improvements, these options may help:
- ECO4 — fully funded insulation and heat pump upgrades for qualifying benefit recipients (requires landlord consent but landlord pays nothing)
- Great British Insulation Scheme — loft and cavity wall insulation for EPC D–G properties
- Request improvements in writing — creates a paper trail; landlords who ignore reasonable requests may face council enforcement
- Environmental health — if the cold/damp constitutes a Category 1 HHSRS hazard, the council can require improvements