What EPC rating do landlords need by 2030?

The government has confirmed that privately rented homes in England will need to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, up from the current minimum of E. New tenancies are expected to have to comply earlier than existing ones.

What is the current minimum EPC rating for a rental property?

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), most private rented properties in England and Wales must currently have an EPC rating of at least E, unless a valid exemption is registered.

Is there a cost cap on EPC improvements?

Yes. The government has confirmed a cost cap of £10,000 per property for the works needed to reach EPC C. Where spending £10,000 would not achieve C, or exceeds a proportion of the property's value, an exemption may apply.

EPC C by 2030: What Landlords Must Do

Q: How long does an EPC last?

An EPC is valid for 10 years. You need a valid EPC to let a property, and it must be given to tenants before they move in.

Updated August 2026 · JRM Compliance

The energy-efficiency rules for rental homes are tightening. Here's what the EPC C by 2030 requirement means for landlords in England, and how to prepare in good time rather than in a last-minute rush.

For years the rule has been simple: to let a property in England and Wales, it needs an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least E under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). That bar is now rising. The government has confirmed that privately rented homes will need to reach EPC C by 2030 — a significant step up that will require real work on many older properties.

The headline rules

Current minimum: EPC E. You can't grant a new tenancy on a property rated F or G unless a valid exemption is registered.
Coming requirement: a minimum of EPC C for privately rented homes by 2030. New tenancies are expected to have to meet the standard first, with all existing tenancies following by the 2030 deadline.
Cost cap: the government has confirmed a cap of £10,000 per property on the improvement works required. If reaching C would cost more than the cap, an exemption route is expected to apply.
EPC reform: EPCs themselves are being reformed to show several performance metrics (such as fabric, heating and energy cost) rather than a single headline score.

Why act early: the properties that need the most work — older, solid-wall or poorly insulated homes — take the longest and cost the most to improve. Good tradespeople get booked up as deadlines approach, so landlords who plan ahead avoid both the rush and the premium prices.

What counts towards EPC C

The improvements that move a property up the EPC scale are usually the familiar ones: loft and cavity-wall insulation, a more efficient boiler or heating system, double glazing, low-energy lighting and better heating controls. An up-to-date EPC assessment will list the specific recommendations for each property and the rating they should achieve.

Exemptions

Not every property will be forced to hit C at any cost. Exemptions are expected to remain for cases such as where all improvements within the cost cap still don't reach the target, where works would devalue the property, or where consent (for example from a freeholder or planning authority) can't be obtained. Exemptions must be registered on the government's PRS Exemptions Register and are time-limited.

How to prepare

The practical task for landlords is knowing, across a whole portfolio, which properties already meet C, which are close, and which need real investment — and when each EPC expires. Leaving it to a spreadsheet is how deadlines get missed. Keeping every property's current rating, EPC expiry date and planned works in one place turns a looming 2030 problem into a manageable schedule.

Track every EPC and deadline in one place

JRM Compliance stores each property's certificates and renewal dates and reminds you before they expire — so EPC, gas and electrical deadlines never creep up on you.

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Frequently asked questions

What EPC rating will landlords need by 2030?

The government has confirmed rental homes in England will need a minimum EPC rating of C by 2030, up from the current minimum of E. New tenancies are expected to have to comply before existing ones.

What's the current minimum EPC rating to let a property?

Under MEES, most private rented homes in England and Wales must currently be rated at least E, unless a valid exemption is registered.

Is there a limit on what I have to spend?

Yes. A cost cap of £10,000 per property has been confirmed. If reaching C would cost more than that, an exemption route is expected to apply.

How long does an EPC last?

An EPC is valid for 10 years, and you must have a valid one to let the property and give it to tenants before they move in.

This article is general information, not legal or energy advice. Government policy and dates can change — check the latest official guidance or take professional advice before acting.