EPC requirements for landlords: ratings, renewals and the 2028 deadline
Current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), how long an EPC lasts, the proposed EPC C requirement for 2028, and the £10k cost cap explained.
Current minimum: EPC E
Since April 2020 it has been unlawful to let a domestic property in England or Wales with an EPC rating below E, with very narrow exemptions for properties on the PRS Exemptions Register. The rating must be valid (EPCs last 10 years) and held on the EPC Register.
The proposed EPC C uplift
Government policy announced in the 2024 consultation response confirms the intention to raise the minimum standard to EPC C for new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies from 2030, subject to legislation. A £15,000 spending cap is proposed; until the bill receives Royal Assent the £10k MEES cost cap from the existing framework applies.
Practical advice: model each property now. A 1990s flat usually clears C with cavity wall insulation and an A-rated boiler; a Victorian solid-wall terrace can require external wall insulation and may need a registered exemption.
Renewing an EPC
Commission a new EPC from an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor when the old one expires, before marketing for re-let, or after material works (new boiler, insulation, double glazing) that would lift the rating. The new EPC supersedes the old one immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an EPC last?+
10 years from the date it was lodged on the EPC Register.
What is the minimum EPC rating for letting a property in 2026?+
E. EPC C is proposed for new tenancies from 2028, subject to legislation.
Do I need a new EPC for every new tenancy?+
No - only if the current EPC has expired or you've made changes that would alter the rating.